The Osun State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a final-year student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The deceased, Oluwole Oluwaseun, a student of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, was found dead by fellow students at an apartment in the Damico area of Ooni Layout, Ile-Ife.
The university confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju.
According to the statement, the university received information at about 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, concerning an emergency involving the student at the apartment.
It said the university’s Quick Response and Security (QRS) team immediately moved to the location, while the Nigeria Police was also contacted.
“Officers from the ‘A’ Division, Moore, Ile-Ife, joined the university’s security personnel at the scene,” the statement said.
Oluwaseun was subsequently taken to the OAU Health Centre, where a medical doctor certified him dead.
The university said it was concerned about the circumstances surrounding the student’s death and had handed relevant information and items recovered from the scene over to the police.
“The police have commenced investigation into the circumstances of the incident,” the statement added.
The management also said it 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 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 urged members of the community to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information or speculation as the police investigation continues.
It also encouraged students experiencing severe emotional distress, relationship difficulties, financial pressures or other personal challenges to seek help from trusted individuals and appropriate university support structures.
Bamire reaffirmed the management’s commitment to the welfare of staff and students, stressing that “no student should feel that he or she has to confront overwhelming difficulties alone.”
“Further information, where necessary and appropriate, would be communicated through official channels,” the statement added.