Police investigate death of OAU student

The police have started looking into the death of Oluwole Oluwaseun, a final-year student at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Oluwaseun was studying Materials Science and Engineering. He died after an emergency was reported at an apartment in the Damico Area, Ooni Layout, Ile-Ife, on Tuesday.

The university's management released a statement on Wednesday through its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju. They said they got news of the incident around 1:30 pm.

Olanrewaju mentioned that the university’s Quick Response and Security Team went straight to the scene. They also contacted the ‘A’ Division of the Nigeria Police Force in Moore, Ile-Ife.

Police officers later joined the university’s security team at the location. According to the statement, Oluwaseun was taken to the university’s Health Centre, where a doctor confirmed he was 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,” the statement said in part.

The university also informed the relevant student affairs authorities to follow up on the situation, especially concerning the welfare of students affected by the incident.

In response to the situation, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simeon Bamire sent condolences to Oluwaseun’s family, friends, classmates, and colleagues. He also showed concern for students and others in the university community who might be feeling emotional distress from this tragedy.

The management urged everyone in the university community to stay calm and not to share unverified information or rumors about the student’s death while the investigation is ongoing.

They also advised students who are facing emotional distress, relationship issues, financial problems, or other personal challenges to seek help from trusted people and university support services.

The Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed the management’s commitment to the well-being of staff and students, stating, “no student should feel that he or she has to confront overwhelming difficulties alone.”

The university said the appropriate authorities are managing the matter, and any further information will be shared through official channels.