OAU confirms death of final-year student as police begin investigation

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has confirmed the death of a final-year student of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Oluwole Oluwaseun.

The university, in a statement issued by its public relations officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, on Wednesday, said it received information at about 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday concerning an emergency involving the student at an apartment in the Damico Area, Ooni Layout, Ile-Ife.

According to the statement, the university’s Quick Response and Security (QRS) Team immediately proceeded to the location, while the Nigeria Police Force was contacted. Officers from the ‘A’ Division, Moore, Ile-Ife, subsequently joined the university’s security personnel at the scene.

Olarewaju said the deceased was later taken to the University Health Centre, where a medical doctor certified him dead.

“The university is deeply concerned by the circumstances surrounding the death and has handed relevant information and items recovered from the scene to the police for further investigation. The police have commenced investigation into the circumstances of the incident.”

He added that the university had notified the appropriate student affairs authorities for necessary follow-up, particularly concerning the welfare and support of students affected by the incident.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, expressed condolences to the deceased’s family, friends, classmates and colleagues, while also expressing concern for members of the university community who may be emotionally affected by the incident.

The university also encouraged students experiencing emotional distress, relationship difficulties, financial pressures or other personal challenges to seek help from trusted persons and appropriate university support structures.