- Local residents allegedly refused to release Adebayo’s body to the university until rituals were performed
A student of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna) in Niger State has died after slipping into a fishpond while hiking with colleagues.
Oluwaseyi Adebayo, a 400-level student of Animal Production, was reportedly hiking on August 10 when he fell from a hilltop into the pond.
Local residents allegedly refused to release Adebayo’s body to the university until rituals were performed to protect his seven other colleagues.
University officials reportedly declined, but concerned individuals later intervened by paying the required fee and providing a white ram for the ritual.
The university’s spokesperson, Lydia Legbo, denied knowledge of the incident, stating, “The university is not aware of any such incident and cannot comment on it.”
However, the university’s Student Union Government confirmed the tragedy in a statement, offering condolences and advising students to avoid outdoor activities near water bodies. The Niger State Police said the incident was not reported to them.