A student from the Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State, Oluwaseyi David Adebayo, tragically drowned after falling into a fish pond during a hiking trip with his peers near a dam.
The 400-level student from the Department of Animal Production was biking with colleagues on August 10, 2024, when he slipped from a hilltop and fell into the pond, where he drowned.
According to Punch, local residents initially refused to release the student’s body to the university authorities until certain rituals were performed to prevent similar incidents for the seven other students involved.
The university authorities were reportedly unwilling to perform the ritual, but the situation was resolved when concerned individuals intervened, paying the required amount and providing a white ram for the sacrifice.
The university’s spokesperson, Lydia Legbo, denied knowledge of the incident, stating: “The University is not aware of any such incident and cannot comment on it.”
In contrast, the Student Union Government (SUG) confirmed the incident in a condolence message signed by the SUG Public Relations Officer, Moshood Olamide. The message read: “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.
“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 since issued a warning to students to avoid participating in outdoor events near waterways and to refrain from swimming in water bodies of undefined depth.
