Students in Ogun State are gearing up for a protest on Friday following the tragic deaths of Idowu Pelumi David, a 24-year-old student of Gateway ICT Polytechnic Saapade, and 22-year-old motorcyclist Hassan Ariyo, who were killed by a hit-and-run driver.
The accident occurred on Monday at approximately 2 pm along the Sagamu-Ikenne Road when a black Toyota Camry lost control and collided with the unregistered Bajaj motorcycle carrying David and Ariyo. According to Omolola Odutola, spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, the impact caused both riders to sustain fatal head injuries.
The incident has sparked outrage among student bodies in the state. In a joint statement, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS), and Progressive Student Movement announced plans to protest at the NYSC State Secretariat. They claimed that eyewitness reports identified a grey Toyota Camry with registration number BDF590HE, linked to one Ojo Aina, which suspiciously entered the NYSC camp immediately after the incident. However, a statement released in this regard dictates the NYSC management initial denial of such vehicle driving in. “The NYSC management initially denied allegations of the vehicle driving in, which led to physical abuse of Nigerian students at the scene by military personnel,” the statement read.
The student unions commended the swift response of the Nigeria Police but expressed dissatisfaction that the suspected vehicle and driver have not yet been detained. They also called for the immediate replacement of Mrs. Olayinka Diana Nasamu, the NYSC State Coordinator in Ogun, citing her lack of empathy and inadequate response to the tragedy.
By the way, Omolola Odutola confirmed that efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing driver, and a sketch map and photographs have been taken for reference purpose.
