A coalition of civil society organizations has strongly condemned the killing of Modupe Deborah Atanda, a female student of the Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), and the burial of her body in a shallow grave on the campus. The coalition called for justice in this gruesome murder and highlighted the far-reaching consequences of such incidents, particularly on the mental health of students and their parents.
The civil society organizations, including Gender Mobile Initiative, Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development, International Federation of Women Lawyers, National Council of Women Societies, Gender Relevance Promotion Initiative, and Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, issued an open letter to the Governor of Ekiti State and the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, urging them to ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.
The CSOs commended the police for their prompt action in arresting suspects linked to the crime and emphasized the need to enhance the safety and security of all students, especially female students, within and around educational institutions. They called for a well-lit and secure environment that allows students to pursue their dreams without fear of violence.
The coalition expressed its condolences to the victim’s family and showed unwavering solidarity with the entire student body of FUOYE while urging the university’s management to cooperate with relevant authorities in the pursuit of justice.