by Rachel Ogbu

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is mourning the death of its Senate President, Donald Onukaogu and four other students who reportedly died on Wednesday in a car accident on their way to the University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.

They were on a mission to mediate in the current crisis and protesting at that institution which has also recorded one death.

[READ: University of Uyo students set several buildings ablaze during protest (PHOTO) ]

[READ: UNIUYO mayhem: One student dead, 45 arrested by police (PHOTO) ]

Confirming the death yesterday morning, the President of NANS, Yinka Gbadebo, blamed the tragedy on the police.

“The police under the current IGP killed nine students within one week; the police action is barbaric and we call for the immediate resignation of the IGP, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar,” he said.

“We are closing down all campuses in Nigeria and national action will commence immediately.”

According to reports, the only survivor of the crash also said that an illegal road block mounted by the police was responsible for the tragedy claiming their NANS bus rammed into the illegal barrier.

The Leadership reports:

It would be recalled that the police reportedly killed some students during a protest organised by students of Engineering at the university that prompted the decision of the NANS leaders to embark on the urgent trip to Akwa-Ibom.

The Engineering students were protesting against new transport fees and other anti-student policies, including the contentious “No pay, No examination” policy.

Another source, however, has it that a trailer crushed the students’ vehicle.