Five students of the Osun State University, Osogbo, have died, while five others sustained injuries in a tragic accident along the Ife-Ibadan Expressway.
The university management confirmed this in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, and obtained in Osogbo on Monday.
According to Adesoji, reports from the Nigeria Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps indicated that the accident occurred around the Balogun area, Ikire, when a bus coming from Ibadan and an 18-passenger bus from Osogbo collided head-on, leading to multiple casualties.
“Our university management, upon receiving this distressing news, swiftly dispatched a team to the scene to identify and support any of our students involved in the accident,” Adesoji stated.
He confirmed the names of the deceased students: “Regrettably, we confirm the loss of the following students: 1. Olagbemide Dotun, a 200-level student of Software Engineering. 2. Suleiman Farouq Adedayo, a 400-level student of Law. 3. Ogundare Pelumi, a 300-level student of Public Health. 4. Ogundare Elijah, a 100-level student of Mechanical Engineering. 5. Olawuyi Mary, a 200-level student of Nursing.”
Adesoji also stated that five other students sustained injuries, including Olagbemide Damilola, a 200-level student of Medicine and Surgery, who is currently receiving medical care.
“The police confirmed a total of 10 fatalities from this unfortunate incident,” he added.
Lamenting the loss, the university management pledged to provide necessary moral and logistical support to the grieving families, including assistance with funeral arrangements.
“This tragic loss has deeply shaken our university community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the deceased. We urge our students, staff, and the entire university community to remain calm and supportive during this difficult time,” the statement read.
The Osun State University assured that it would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and pray that they find strength and solace in this moment of grief.”
