Students of federal university Lokoja (FUL) have taken to the streets in massive protest condemning the gruesome death of their colleagues as a result of a heavy duty truck which rammed into a transit bus conveying students from the University.
The incident according to an eye witness occurred around 2:30 pm local time on Monday 17th February, 2025. This fatal accident has sparked widespread outrage and anger among the student community with many demanding justice and improved safety measures on the highways around the ancient city and capital of Kogi State aka the confluence state.
Addressing journalists, the Student Union President of Federal University Lokoja, Comrade Benjamin Olorunfemi Timothy, who led the protest, said they want the government to ban trucks from plying the highway during the daytime in and around the city given that the state is a transit hub that connects the North & the Southern part of the country.
In an address by the SUG President during the protest, he lamented the reoccurring ugly situation of motorists and students collision and similar other accidents on the highways of the ancient city.
“On Monday, we lost five of our students, whose pictures are here to the cold hands of death as a result of the recurring menace of heavy trucks movement (trailers). We have records of 12 to 15 deaths of FUL students caused by trailers and trucks. This is due to the bad road and the high speed of these trucks. We have seen other states where they ban the movement of trucks during the daytime. The question I am asking here is this: since Monday, if it was the child of the Governor or a Senator, within 24 hours, a law would have been enacted banning trucks from plying our road during the daytime. All passage of heavy-duty trucks should be banned. That is our demand. We have liaised with the state government, and we have given them an ultimatum of 72 hours. We have spent over 43 hours out of the 72 hours. We are calling on all stakeholders to come to our aid. The students are crying and dying. Our lives are not secured on this highway anymore,” he stated.
The protesting students began their public demonstration on Tuesday 18th February, and continued on Wednesday 19th February, 2025 to demand immediate action from relevant authorities while paying allegiance to their deceased colleagues.
The action taken by the student has caught the attention of the state government, leading to the visitation of the state deputy governor, His Excellency SALISU JOEL OYIBO and Hon. ABDULMALEEK DANGA the honourable member representing Adavi/Okehi federal constituency whom have promised the students of immediate action to fall stall any similar occurrence.
Also, as part of effort to calm the students and honor the deceased, The school Deputy Registrar of Human Resource, Mr. Vincent Ojo in a statement conveyed the management of the school’s decision to suspend lecture activities from 12 noon Tuesday, 18th February to Wednesday, 19th February 2025.
Adding that other university activities will also be on a low-key while the institution’s flag will fly at half-mast.
The incident has sent shockwaves across the academic community with many calling for increase vigilance and safety measures on campuses nationwide.
