The Osun State University Alumni Association has urged the state government to probe the road mishap that claimed the lives of some students of the university and others.
According to a statement on Tuesday signed by the alumni President, Basit Abubakar, the accident, which occurred at Balogun Area, before Unity School, Ikire, Osun State, on Sunday, was reportedly caused by a bus driver who drove against traffic, resulting in a head-on collision and leaving 9 persons including five students of the university dead.
“We received the devastating news of the death of Comrade Adedayo Suleiman Farouq, a prolific member of UNIOSUN alumni community and four other students of our alma mater with great shock.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the university management, families and loved ones of the deceased: Suleiman Farouq Adedayo, Olagbemide Dotun, Ogundare Pelumi, Ogundare Elijah, and Olawuyi Mary.
“We thank the university management for their immediate response and support for the afflicted families and urge the university students to remain calm and supportive during this difficult time.
“Our on-the-spot assessment of the accident scene shows that reckless driving led to the senseless loss of lives, and it is imperative that the driver who drove against traffic and murdered a member and prospective members of our community be held accountable.
“Even though we cannot question God, no responsible association or mother would accept a blue murder of her youngsters. We, therefore, appeal to the Osun State Government to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this devastating accident.
“More so, we are conscious of the fact that poor road network is not an excuse for reckless driving. We also understand that Ife-Ibadan express road is a dual carriage road and a head-on collision would have been evaded if every road user, especially those in trucks and bigger vehicles, maintained their lane and no one drives with reckless abandon as if they were licenced to kill.
“In line with its mandate to protect lives and properties, we respectfully call on the Osun State Government to press murder charges against the murderous bus driver, ensuring that justice is served for the victims and their families.
“We also call on the government at the state and the federal government levels to take concrete steps towards preventing such tragedies in the future and particularly demand maximum compliance with road safety measures including good road network and the equipment of medical centres for emergency responses along the axis and other adjoining roads across the six campuses of our university.”