by Rachel Ogbu

Students of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, Lagos State protested on the Lagos expressway yesterday following the death of a 200-level student who was killed in a hit-and-run incident by a commercial bus driver, reports say.

A said students’ leaders in the institution, Olaola Balogun, told reporters that on Tuesday morning two students were cleared off the road by a motorist. Michael Odunuga, a student of the department of Economics/Mathematics was killed instantly.

“The accident happened around Vespa bus stop about 5.20am but we got to know of it around 7am,” he said.

“Two of our students were actually knocked down by the commercial driver, who is now at large. Only Odunuga died in the process.

“The other victim, a young lady, whose name cannot be ascertained now, is receiving treatment in a hospital.”

According to reports, many of the drivers avoided the area, which subsequently led to many commuters being stranded.

[READ: #InCaseYouMissedIt: Students protest ASUU/ASUP strikes in Lagos ]

Punch reports:

Balogun called on the state government to see to the deplorable state of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, adding that construction of pedestrian bridges was also necessary.

Another student, who identified himself as Aluta Prophet, said, “This demonstration is a reaction to our ordeal in the hands of these commercial bus drivers.

“We want the authorities to come to our aid, which is why we came to the expressway. The police are here to monitor our protest.”

AOCOED’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Odunayo Adebowale , said the school was  aware of the incident.

He said, “There are three versions to the story. One stated that Odunuga was trying to enter the bus when he fell. The second was that he was pushed while trying to board the bus. We were also told that he was crushed by a hit-and-run driver. The other lady is in a stable condition.

“There is a celebration going on in the school and today had been marked as the ‘rag day.’ Seven students were actually involved but it is unfortunate that two of them were affected. Odunuga is an orphan and the school, in collaboration with his guardian, had buried him today (Tuesday).”