A student of the Federal University of Technology Minna, in Niger State, Oluwaseyi David Adebayo, has drowned after falling into a fish pond during a hiking trip with his colleagues near a dam.
Adebayo, a 400-level student of the Department of Animal Production at the University, was said to have gone bike hiking with some of his colleagues on August 10, 2024, when he slipped from a hilltop and landed in a fish pond where he d!ed.
According to the Punch, the locals in the area refused to release the corpse of the student to the authorities of the university until some rituals were performed to prevent a similar occurrence from happening to his seven other colleagues.
The FUT authority was said to have refused to comply with the request to perform the ritual until some concerned people saved the situation by paying the required amount and providing a white ram for the sacrifice
When contacted, the university’s spokesperson, Lydia Legbo, denied knowledge of the incident.
“The University is not aware of any such incident and cannot comment on it,” Legbo said.
Meanwhile, the Student Union Government of the university, confirmed the incident in a condolence message signed by the SUG Public Relations Officer, Moshood Olamide.
“We regret to announce the passing of Oluwaseyi David, a 400 Level Student from the Department of Animal Production (SAAT), who died earlier today during a hiking event with his level mates near the Talba Dam in GK Off-campus,” the message read.
“Our Prayers and thoughts are with the bereaved. We pray God to grant them the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss and may the gentle soul of Oluwaseyi David rest in perfect peace.
“The University Management has warned Students to avoid any form of Outdoor Events near waterways and also swimming in water bodies of undefined depth.”
