Driver kills FUTA student

A 200 level Food Science Technology student of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) Ondo State, identified as Deborah Olajide has been killed by a hit and run driver.

The FUTA undergraduate, Miss Olajide, who was said to be on her home from vigil was knocked down by the vehicle in the early hours of Thursday, while her lifeless body was discovered by her colleagues.

According to a source, the deceased left for the vigil the previous day but was suspected to be knocked down by a vehicle along the expressway in the morning while returning from the vigil.

She explained that the driver of the vehicle who was on top speed rammed into the speed breaker mounted along FUTA junction and in the process tried to avoid other speed breakers and knocked down the girl who was walking home.

She, however, did not ascertain of Olajide was coming home alone from the vigil but said her remains were discovered by some students in the morning.

The corpse of the deceased had been deposited at the morgue of the State Specialist hospital in Akure.

The students of the institution, however, took to the streets, blocking the expressway for more than six hours, hindering vehicular movement and causing gridlock while travellers were held up on the ever busy road.

The authorities of the institution in a statement by its spokesperson Adegbenro Adebanjo denied that the students went on the rampage but said the students “observed a candlelight procession in honour of the deceased who was killed in an accident the previous day.

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Adebanjo confirmed that “The victim died as a result of injuries sustained when she was knocked down on the expressway by a vehicle.

“The candlelight procession to mourn their departed colleagues was closely monitored by officials of Students Affairs Division to ensure that the peace was not breached in any way.

“At some point, the students converged at the very spot where the accident occurred to light their candles and this was responsible for the slight disruption of traffic flow on the expressway.

“The accident was very unfortunate and we call for more enlightenment for drivers and motorists from the relevant authorities.

He, however, appealed to motorists to always “exercise absolute caution when driving through schools and densely populated areas in all parts of the country. Our prayers are with the parents of the student at this very difficult time.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Femi Joseph, who confirmed the accident said the command has begun the investigation into the incident

He also called on the motorist to always observe the traffic rules to avoid the unwarranted accident.