Students and members of staff of the University of Ibadan have been thrown into mourning following the sudden deaths of two undergraduates of the institution within 24 hours.
According to the Punch, one of the victims, Adegoke Adedayo, a final-year student of the Department of History, was shot dead during a robbery close to the UI/Bodija Road.
The incident was said to have happened in the early hours of Sunday.
Also, a 200-level student of the Department of Microbiology Faculty of Science, Ayomide Adeyemo, was knocked down by a vehicle while crossing the road close to the school’s main gate.
The Director of Communication of the university, Tunji Oladejo, who confirmed the robbery incident, said the police had started investigation.
He said, “The matter has been reported to the Bodija Police Division. The Oyo State Police Command is conducting a discreet investigation on the sad development. The body of the late student is with the University College Hospital for autopsy.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Adewale Osifeso, did not respond to inquiries from our correspondents.
The President-elect of the UI Students’ Union Government, Yinka Adewole, said efforts to save Adedayo proved abortive.
“The Dean and Deputy Dean, Students Affairs, University of Ibadan, Head of Department of History and the security unit of the university made several efforts to ensure that the student survived, but he died.
“We (SUG) are planning to organise prayers and sensitisation on safety tips for students.”
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Oluwole Olusegun, said the agency received a report that suspected robbers shot somebody around the Preboye area between 7 pm and 8 pm.
He said, “Around 9pm the same day, another person was shot at the Civic Centre area by the same set of gang. Our men are investigating the cases.”
Meanwhile, the outgoing SUG President, Olusegun Akeju, said the remains of Adedayo were buried on Monday.
Akeju called for a thorough investigation into the killing of the final-year student, adding that security agencies should beef up security around Agbowo and other areas where students of the university staying off-campus lived.
“We have also met with representatives of the government to make sure that the case is not swept under the carpet. What is also more important is that we want them to beef up security around UI and its environment.”
