By Deborah Nnamdi
A senior lecturer at Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Kogi State, Dr. Olabode Abimbola Ibikunle, has died under controversial circumstances reportedly involving a female student of the institution.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at a hotel in Anyigba and was subsequently reported to the police by the hotel manager.
Spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, SP William Aya, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lokoja. Aya described the development as “unfortunate” and disclosed that an autopsy had been conducted to ascertain the cause of death.
According to police reports, the hotel manager, Moses Friday, stated that a 22-year-old 200-level student of PAAU, identified as Gloria Samuel, ran to the hotel reception to report that the lecturer had collapsed after a sexual encounter in their room.
Hotel staff immediately notified the police, and the lecturer was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.
Preliminary police investigations indicate that the lecturer, who was married with children, had checked into the hotel earlier that day with the student, who is said to be from the Department of Social Studies Education.
While unconfirmed reports suggest that Dr. Ibikunle may have consumed multiple energy drinks before the incident, police say investigations are still ongoing. The student involved was initially taken into custody and later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further inquiry.
A student of the university, who spoke anonymously to NAN, corroborated claims of an alleged sexual encounter preceding the lecturer’s death.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
