A 200-level student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, whose identity could not be immediately ascertained, has d!ed after reportedly falling off a moving campus shuttle bus
The Students’ Union Government disclosed this in a statement jointly signed by its President, Kehinde Bamgbose; General Secretary, Olajire Emmanuel; and Public Relations Officer, Olamide Salau, on Tuesday.
According to the union, the incident occurred at the school gate when passengers alighted from the shuttle bus and were preparing to re-enter it.
The union alleged that an unidentified individual who was not supposed to be on the bus occupied the seat previously used by the deceased, leading to a disagreement.
It said that rather than resolving the situation, the driver reportedly instructed the student to attach himself to the moving vehicle so they could continue their journey.
The union said the student fell off before the bus reached Mosque Junction and became unconscious.
He was subsequently rushed to the university’s Mini Campus Health Centre for medical attention. However, the union alleged that the presentation of his student identification card was demanded before treatment could be administered.
“Sadly, within minutes, the student passed away,” the statement read.
The union described the circumstances surrounding the incident as disturbing, raising concerns about the conduct of the driver, the safety of campus transportation and the response of the university’s health facility.
“The reported instruction to a student to attach himself to a moving vehicle is unacceptable, dangerous and a gross violation of basic transportation safety standards. No driver should ever place the life of a passenger at such an avoidable risk,” it said.
It also called for an investigation into the alleged demand for the student’s identification card before he could receive emergency medical attention.
“In an emergency, the preservation of human life must take precedence over administrative requirements. No student should be denied or delayed emergency medical attention because of the inability to produce a medical card,” the union added.
The union further disclosed that the police had intervened and that the driver involved was with the relevant authorities.
It said it would allow the investigation to take its course while demanding that anyone found culpable be held accountable.
The union added that its administration, led by Fele, had repeatedly engaged relevant stakeholders over concerns about the conduct of some campus shuttle drivers, reckless driving, disregard for passenger safety and the operation of buses whose roadworthiness had been questioned.
“We have held meetings. We have raised concerns. We have made efforts to address these issues through the appropriate channels.
“It is therefore unacceptable that it should take the loss of a student’s life for these concerns to receive the urgency they deserve,” the statement added.
The union called for “an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances that led to the student’s death, including the conduct of the driver and the role of every party involved”.
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