The management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has confirmed the death of one of its students, following days of speculation surrounding the tragic incident.
In an official statement released by the Registrar, Mr. Olayinka Balogun, the institution revealed that the incident occurred on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, during an unauthorised sign-out ceremony held at the Ultramodern Wazo Market in Ogbomoso.
The deceased, identified as Babalola Marvelous Olanrewaju, a 300-level student of Mechanical Engineering, was reportedly shot during the event and later died from his injuries.
Balogun reiterated that sign-out ceremonies had been officially banned by the university since 2023, with prior warnings issued to hotels and event centres within and around Ogbomoso not to host such gatherings.
Despite this prohibition, preliminary investigations indicate that a group of students organised a celebration on a football field within the Wazo Market, where the incident tragically unfolded.
Following a distress call, the university’s Acting Dean of Student Affairs alerted the Oyo State Police Command in Ogbomoso. Security personnel from the monitoring unit and area command were promptly dispatched to the scene.
The victim’s identity was confirmed through documents recovered from his belongings, matched against university records. His remains have since been deposited at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital morgue.
The university confirmed that it is fully cooperating with police investigations and that the victim’s family has been formally notified.
“The management extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased.
May his soul rest in peace, and may his loved ones find strength in this time of sorrow,” the statement read.
