Police in Ile-Ife, Osun State, have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Oluwole Oluwaseun, a final-year student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).
Oluwaseun, who was studying Materials Science and Engineering, died after an emergency was reported at an apartment in the Damico Area of Ooni Layout, Ile-Ife, on Tuesday.
The university said it received information about the incident at about 1.30pm, prompting members of its Quick Response and Security Team to proceed to the location.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, said the ‘A’ Division of the Nigeria Police Force in Moore, Ile-Ife, was contacted and officers later joined university security personnel at the scene.
According to the statement, the student was subsequently taken to the university’s Health Centre, where a medical doctor confirmed his death.
“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 statement said.
It added that the police had commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the death.
The university management also informed the relevant student affairs authorities to ensure appropriate follow-up, including welfare and support for students affected by the incident.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simeon Bamire, expressed condolences to Oluwaseun’s family, friends, classmates and colleagues, while also acknowledging the possible emotional impact of the incident on members of the university community.
Management urged students and staff to remain calm and refrain from circulating unverified information or speculation while the police investigation continues.
The university further encouraged students facing severe emotional distress, relationship problems, financial difficulties or other personal challenges to seek assistance from trusted individuals and the appropriate support services within the institution.
Bamire reaffirmed the university’s commitment to the welfare of its students and staff, stressing that “no student should feel that he or she has to confront overwhelming difficulties alone.”
The university said the relevant authorities were handling the matter and that any further information would be communicated through official channels.
