OAU DAM POISONED OVER LAND DISPUTE, VC PETITIONS DSS, POLICE

Ogunbodede, who expressed dismay at what he termed criminal pollution of Opa dam, located within the precinct of the university implored the security agencies to act swiftly to apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

According to the copy of the petition dated 3rd, April, 2019 with reference no VC.26(i)Vol.Vol.1/64​​​​ obtained by Sunday Tribune in Osogbo on Saturday, which was addressed to the Commissioner of Police in Osun and also copied to the director of the DSS in the state, the VC said “I wish to formally make a complaint of criminal pollution of Opa Dam in the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife by some murderous members of the Ife Community.

The petition titled “Complaint of Criminal Pollution of Opa Dam, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife” reads on the 3rd of April, 2019 at about 1500hours, a report of invasion and pollution of the University dam by a group of people who claimed to be members of Great Ife Development Board was received by the security unit of the university.”

“The suspected culprits threatened the university security operative  manning the area, Mr. O. A. Omotosho, with guns and some other dangerous weapons. They, however, escaped on sighting reinforcement from the university security department. Fortunately, one of the ringleaders of the invaders (names withheld) was identified by the university security men sent as reinforcement.”

“It is important to mention that Opa Dam is the only source of water supply to members of the university  community, staff and students numbering well 30,000 , and the surrounding areas. The action of these people therefore poses serious danger to the health and lives of staff, students and other members of the university community.”

“It is important to also mention that this is the first time in the entire history of the university that this murderous conduct will happen. The people gained unlawful access into the university dam through a portion of the university land adjoining Parakin Area in Ile-Ife. It will interest the Commissioner that the said land, although clearly gazetted as university land and on which the university had exercised ownership for decades without let or hindrance, was forcefully broken into by the same set of people earlier this year.”

“As a law-abiding Federal Government agency, the university has refrained from engaging the trespassers in their brigandage. These individuals have threatened to kill anyone who dares to challenge their action. It is clear, from all indications, that the criminal poisoning of the University Dam is a continuation and actualisation of their threat.”

“Considering the far-reaching consequences of the action of these people to the lives of the members of the university community, and the attendant propensity to lead to the breach of the peace of the university, it is necessary to act swiftly to deal with this clear criminal conduct. The Commissioner would recall that students of the university resumed this week for the 2018/2019 academic session. I therefore urge you to use your good offices to apprehend the perpetrators of this dastardly act”, the petition concluded