Former student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Oyelade Habeeb Olawale, was tragically hacked to death on Tuesday afternoon during a violent clash between rival cult groups on campus.
The confrontation reportedly began after one of the cult groups took a photo without permission, sparking an argument that quickly escalated into a deadly fracas involving axes.
Oyelade, who was said to be the head of one of the rival cult gangs, lost his life during the attack.
The management of Kwara State Polytechnic confirmed the incident, describing it as “unfortunate.” In a statement released by the institution’s public relations officer, Halimat Garba, the polytechnic explained that its security division responded promptly and arrested several suspects connected to the incident.
The statement, made available to journalists on Wednesday, added that the apprehended individuals have been handed over to the police.
The polytechnic strongly condemned any form of violence or illegal activity on and around the campus.
The management also expressed condolences to the victim’s family and reassured the public that the campus remains safe.
“The management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, wish to inform the general public about the unfortunate incident that occurred on our campus earlier on, Tuesday, December, 2025,” the statement read.
“The incident, which involved a clash between former students affiliated with cult groups, has resulted in the loss of life of one Oyelade Habeeb Olawale, a former student of the Civil Engineering Department, with matriculation number ND/20/CEC/FT/206.
“The Polytechnic condemns in stronger terms any form of violence and illegal activities within and around the institution. We deeply regret the loss of life and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
“The management wish to state categorically that the Polytechnic security personnel have immediately responded to the situation through their intelligence, and several suspects believed to be connected to the incident have been apprehended and handed over to the police for further investigations.
“The management is cooperating fully with law enforcement agencies to ensure justice is served.
“To this end, we are pleased to report that normalcy has returned to the campus, and the Polytechnic remains a safe environment for learning and personal development.
“All staff and students are hereby urged to continue their normal administrative and academic activities.
“The Polytechnic remains vigilant against any form of violence or cult-related activities and on-top of all security matters through its various security apparatus.
“We urge our students and the community to report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities to help maintain peace and safety within our campus.”
