Students Shut Down Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Over Missing LASU Graduate, Demand Justice

Students under the aegis of National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) have blocked the busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway, in protest of the disappearance of Quadri Adedamola Ogunbode, a 2024 graduate of the Lagos State University, Ojoo.

The protest halted vehicular movement on the inward and outward which has rendered many stranded for several hours.

Armed with placards and banners, the students chanted songs and demanded justice, asking the police to unravel the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the LASU graduate, who is also an indegene of Ogun state.

Ogunbode, a graduate of the Political Education of LASU was reported to have disappeared on February 17, 2025 at location very close to a Celestial Church, in the neighbourhood of the university.

According to a preliminary police investigation, two suspects, including the Shepherd in charge of the Celestial Church were arrested and questioned.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the protest, the NAOSS National President, Kehinde Thomas, said the protest was organised to show solidarity to the victim who is a member of the association.

He added that the protest was staged on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to draw the attention of the Inspector General of Police to the gravity of the matter, saying NAOSS was unsatisfied with the slow pace of police investigation.

Thomas said since the incident happened, parents of Quadri, especially his mother, have been in anguish and psychological trauma, insisting the IGP’s office must take over the case, which according to him has been dragging unnecessarily.

“We, the leaders and members of the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Stakeholders in the state, are here this morning with heavy hearts. Heavy hearts I say because one of a NAOSS member and a graduate of the Lagos State University, Ojoo, Quadri Ogunbode, is missing and probably not alive as we speak.

“Quadri, a forward-looking, hardworking and cool-headed Nigerian, disappeared mysteriously on February 17, 2025, few seconds after he spoke with his girlfriend on the phone. This incident, according to our findings happened at a neighbourhood very close to a Celestial Church around LASU Community in Lagos.

“We temporarily block this busiest expressway in the country in order to draw the attention of the Inspector-General of Police, who is also an indigene of Ogun State, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and order a special investigation into the case of the alleged kidnapping and possible murder of Quadri Ogunbode.

“This call on the IGP, who is also a parent to intervene in the matter had become imperative, after police complicity and compromise was perceived.

“Quadri is a member of NAOSS, hence, we are appealing passionately to the IGP to use his office, manpower and technology to unravel the disappearance of this affable and brilliant LASU graduate.

“We are not hoodlums, but students who are legitimately demanding justice and saying no to police complicity in this matter.

“As an umbrella body of all Ogun State students, NAOSS cannot sit idly and watch the matter to be swept under the carpet. We will not fold our arms and allow Quadri’s matter to join the swelling number of unresolved disappearance or murder cases in the country.

“While we are optimistic that the intervention of the IGP will yield a fruitful result, NAOSS will not relent to continue to explore all legal means to mobilize relevant stakeholders to take action on the matter.

“The anguish and psychological trauma parents of Quadri are going through are better imagined than experienced.

“While we thank members of the press for their efforts in getting to the root of this matter, our association shall not rest until the matter is resolved. Remember, an injury to one is an injury to all”, Thomas said.