Israel Anuoluwapo, a 100-level student of mathematics in the Federal University of Technology, Akure, was knocked down to death by a ‘hit and run’ driver on Wednesday. He was knocked down some 1000 metres from the gate of the University on the Ilesha-Akure Road on Tuesday April 30.
He was immediately rushed to the University health Centre from where he was transferred to the State Hospital Akure due to the severity of his injuries. He was thereafter rushed to the Trauma centre Ondo where he died later that day.
The development led to protest by FUTA students, who blocked the major Akure-Ilesa highway to prevent movement of vehicles. They also organised a long procession in honour of their departed colleague. The agitated students warned that such a wicked act would not be tolerated again. They called on the relevant agencies to ensure motorists do not drive recklessly on the road.
The peaceful procession terminated at the University’s gate where the Vice Chancellor, Prof O. Fuwape and Dean of students Affairs addressed them.
The FUTA authorities, in a statement, raised the alarm over increasing rate of motor accidents on FUTA axis of the Akure-Ilesa road. The university also urged the Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC) Ondo State Command to intensify patrol on the route to prevent a recurrence of such incident
To address the systemic recklessness on that route, the Ondo State Government has promised to start the immediate construction of speed breakers.
