The Management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has confirmed the unfortunate death of one of its students, who was fatally shot during a sign-out ceremony held outside the university premises.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the university community and raised concerns about the enforcement of campus regulations.
In a statement released on Wednesday in Ibadan, the state capital, the Registrar of LAUTECH, Olayinka Balogun, expressed profound sadness over the tragedy, describing it as a deeply unfortunate occurrence that could have been avoided.
According to Balogun, the incident took place last Wednesday at the Ultramodern Wazo Market in Ogbomoso, during a student-organized sign-out ceremony. The student was reportedly shot at the venue and later succumbed to his injuries.
Balogun emphasized that the university had, since 2023, imposed a comprehensive ban on all sign-out ceremonies within its campus. In addition, hotels, event centers, and other venues in and around Ogbomoso were formally notified and instructed not to allow LAUTECH students to use their facilities for such gatherings. This policy was intended to ensure student safety and prevent any incidents that could arise from large public gatherings.
“Despite the ban, preliminary investigations indicate that a group of students deliberately defied the university’s regulations,” the statement read. “These students organized a sign-out ceremony at the football pitch within the Wazo Ultramodern Market, engaging in behavior that was clearly in violation of established rules.”
According to eyewitness accounts and initial reports, the ceremony took a tragic turn when a male student was allegedly shot at the venue. After sustaining the gunshot injury, he attempted to leave the scene on his motorbike but struggled to control it. He eventually fell from the vehicle and was later found unresponsive. Emergency responders confirmed that he had died from his injuries, leaving friends, family, and the university community devastated.
The LAUTECH management has called for calm among students and the public, urging everyone to adhere strictly to university regulations. It has also promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the involvement of any third parties, and to take appropriate disciplinary and legal actions where necessary.
The tragic event has reignited debates about student safety, campus security measures, and the enforcement of bans on public gatherings. University authorities continue to appeal to students to respect institutional rules and avoid activities that could jeopardize their lives or those of others.