The management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has confirmed the killing of one of its students during a sign-out ceremony, despite a standing ban on such activities.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Ibadan, the institution’s Registrar, Olayinka Balogun, described the incident as “deeply saddening,” noting that it occurred last Wednesday at the Ultramodern Wazo Market in Ogbomoso.
Balogun said the university had banned sign-out activities since 2023 and had also formally notified hotels in and around Ogbomoso not to host such events for LAUTECH students.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that a group of students flouted the ban and organised a sign-out ceremony on the football pitch within the Wazo Ultramodern Market.
The event turned tragic when a male student was shot, allegedly at the venue, and later died from his injuries,” the statement read.
According to the university, the victim, identified as Marvelous Olanrewaju Babalola, a 300-level Mechanical Engineering student, was found unresponsive after reportedly leaving the venue on a motorbike before collapsing.
The Acting Dean of Student Affairs, upon receiving a distress call, contacted the Oyo State Police Command in Ogbomoso.
Police officers from the Monitoring Unit and Area Command were deployed to the scene, and items recovered from the student’s bag helped confirm his identity.
His body was taken to the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital morgue.
The management said it is cooperating fully with police investigations and has notified the student’s family.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased.
May God grant him eternal rest, and may his family find solace during this difficult time,” the statement added.
LAUTECH had previously banned sign-out ceremonies in 2021, citing concerns over indiscipline and immoral conduct associated with the events.