.As Shettima, Zulum sympathize with
mgt, staff, students
AHMED MARI, Maiduguri
Tragedy struck on Wednesday when two students of the Borno State University, BOSU were crushed to death by a truck at Jimtilo along Maiduguri -Damaturu road few minutes after leaving the campus.
The incident which occured on Wednesday evening resulted in the death of a male final year student who graduated same day and a female part two student.
They lost their lives when a Dangote truck on a high speed, lost control and ran into the BOSU students bus while on their way home after their semester exams. Several students on the bus sustained various degrees of injuries, some very critical.
Immediately after the incident, the Vice Chancellor BOSU, Prof. Babagana Gutti, Director of Works, Physical Planning and Development Engineer Mohammed Habib, Dean Student’s Affairs, the University’s CSO ,Bursar and a host of BOSU staff where on hand to see that the victims were evacuated to Umoru Shehu Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. UMTH.
The Teaching Hospital was a beehive of activity as hospital and BOSU staff family members and relatives of the victims were seen busy working round the clock through the night to give the best of attention to the students.
The VC BOSU Prof.Gutti, the Head of Service Borno State Barrister Malam Fannami, the Registrar BOSU Zanna Mustapha k
Kashim, some management and staff were also on hand through the night to give necessary support to the victims.
In a show of solidarity and empathy, a bus full of BOSU students also came to sympathize with their colleagues and donate blood which was seriously needed to save lives of their class and school mates.
The two deceased students were buried on Thursday in Maiduguri according to Islamic injunction. .May their souls rest in peace
Sympathizing with the management, staff and students of the university, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum pledged to enforce ban on trailers into the metropolis
Zulum, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Borno State University (BOSU) community as well as to the parents and guardians of students affected by the tragic motor accident along Maiduguri-Damaturu road.
In a statement issued by his Spokesman, Mallam Dauda Iliys said “I extend my deepest sympathies to families of the affected students, the management, staff, and students of Borno State University over this unfortunate incident.
“I am deeply touched by this tragic accident involving a students’ bus and a trailer, which occurred as the students were returning after completing their examinations.” Zulum said.
In response to the incident, Governor Zulum has directed the Ministry of Works to expedite the completion of the ongoing Maiduguri Trailer Park project.
He also announced that the state government will soon enforce a ban on trailers and other heavy vehicles from accessing the city center to minimize future accidents.
He said “I have instructed the Ministry of Works to ensure the immediate completion of the trailer park. Once operational, trailers will no longer be permitted into the city centre, a move aimed at reducing intra-city road accidents within the metropolis. Borno State government will take deliberate and decisive measures to prevent a recurrence of such a tragic incident.”
Zulum further said that the state government would cover all medical expenses for the injured students currently receiving treatment, stressing that he would personally visit the victims in the hospital and sympathize with them and their families..
He wished the injured students a swift recovery and assured the public of government’s commitment to improving road safety measures across the state.
Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Borno State Council, under the leadership of Comrade Abdulkareem Haruna, has extended its deepest condolences to the management, staff and students of Borno State University following the tragic accident involving one of its vehicles. This unfortunate incident, which sadly, resulted in the loss of two students and injuries to others.
The NUJ in a statement signed by its Secretary, Chiroma Ali said “the union offer it’s heartfelt sympathy to the university community and the families of the deceased students, praying for God’s comfort and strength during this profoundly difficult time.
“The leadership of the union on behalf of the entire working journalists also pray for the swift and complete recovery of those injured.”, the statement said.
“It is with particular sadness to note the involvement of the coaster bus in this accident, as it was recently used by our union’s delegation to the NUJ Triennial Delegates Conference in Owerri, Imo State. This connection makes the tragedy even more touching for us.
“NUJ Borno State council stand in solidarity with the Borno State University community, offering it’s unwavering support during this period of mourning and recovery.”
Meanwhile, Vice President, Kashim Shettima has expressed grief over the tragic road accident in Maiduguri that claimed the lives of two students from the Borno State University and left many others injured.
The Vice President regretted that a moment of achievement and joy that should have marked a significant milestone in these young students’ lives has turned into an unimaginable tragedy.
In a condolence message on Thursday, VP Shettima said, “The loss of these bright, young lives is not just a loss to their families but a loss to Borno State and our nation. These graduates embodied hope, promise, and aspirations of a brighter future. Their untimely departure leaves an irreplaceable void.”
The Vice President extended heartfelt condolences, saying his heart goes out to the grieving families who are enduring the pain of losing their loved ones in such heartbreaking circumstances.
Shettima also assured the students’ families of the government’s support, even as he promised that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “cannot let such incidents continue to rob us of our brightest and best.
