Tragedy struck last night at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, when a 200 level student of the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education suffocated while watching the European Champions League first leg semi-final match between Barcelona of Spain and visiting Bayern Munich on television. The sad incident took place at the Indy Hall of the institution.

News Express learnt that Alaran Muslihudeen Mayowa fainted during the second half of the match eventually won 3-0 by Barcelona courtesy of late goals from Lionel Messi and Neymar. The Junior Common Room (JCR) of Indy Hall where Alaran and many other students were watching the match was said to have been overcrowded and stuffy.

Students around Alaran were said to have performed a mouth-to-mouth respiration after he fainted, after which he was immediately rushed to the school clinic, Jaja, but gave up shortly after he was given first aid.

Friends of the deceased have taken to the Official Page of the Students Union of the University of Ibadan to mourn him. One of the students wrote: “I will state here that the UItes should not take it too hot, because we believed that the owner of the soul has taken it as we don’t have control over our existence; everything is going according to the plan of the Creator.”

Some students blamed the school management, suggesting that lack of power supply contributed to the over-crowding of the room where Alaran suffocated. One student commented: “I am not saying that the school management should not be scolded for the issue of electricity and negligence of those at the health centre, but I am repeating that the owner of the soul has taken it. We should pray for the soul of the deceased and to Allah to make our returns pleasing to Him.”

•Photo shows late Alaran Mayowa.