A student of the Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State Oluwaseyi Adebayo has lost his life after falling into a fishpond while hiking with his colleagues.

The 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 when he slipped from a hilltop and landed in a fish pond where he died.

PUNCH learnt that 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, saying the university was not aware of the development.

“The University is not aware of any such incident and cannot comment on it,” Legbo said.

Meanwhile, the Student Union Government of the university, while confirming the incident in a statement titled “Condolence Message” stated,

“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 message, which was signed by the University’s SUG Public Relations Officer, Moshood Olamide further read, “The University Management has warned Students to avoid any form of Outdoor Events near waterways and also swimming in water bodies of undefined depth.”

When PUNCH contacted the spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, on Friday, he said the matter was not reported to the Police.

Reacting, Abiodun said, “We are not aware of the incident, It was not reported to the police.” (The PUNCH: Text, Excluding Headline)

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