A 500-level student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Oluwole Oluwaseun, has died by suicide, with the police commencing an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Oluwaseun, a final-year student of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, was found dead at an apartment in the Damico Area of Ooni Layout, Ile-Ife, on Tuesday.
The development initially prompted an emergency response after the university received information about the incident at about 1:30pm.
The university’s Quick Response and Security Team reportedly rushed to the location and contacted the police.
Operatives from the ‘A’ Division, Moore, Ile-Ife, subsequently joined the university security personnel at the scene.
The student was later taken to the university’s Health Centre, where a medical doctor confirmed him dead.
While the university initially withheld details about the cause of death and said police were investigating the circumstances, the Osun State Police Command has now reportedly established that the student died by suicide.
Police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi said in a report that investigations showed that Oluwaseun had committed suicide by hanging.
The university had earlier disclosed that relevant information and items recovered from the scene were handed over to the police as part of the investigation.
The incident has thrown Oluwaseun’s classmates and colleagues into mourning, coming as he was nearing the completion of his university education.
The university management, through its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, expressed concern over the tragedy and condoled with the deceased’s family, friends and colleagues.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simeon Bamire, also expressed concern for students and other members of the university community who may be emotionally affected by the death.
Management urged students and staff to avoid spreading unverified information and encouraged anyone facing severe emotional distress, relationship difficulties, financial pressures or other personal challenges to seek help through trusted persons and available university support structures.
The university stressed that no student should feel compelled to confront overwhelming difficulties alone, while assuring the community that appropriate authorities were handling the matter.
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