It was their graduation day, what was supposed to be a momentous occasion of excitement and glee, but which has now turned to a day of mourning.
Friends and relations did turn up at the campus of their university, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, for the ceremonies, reveling with them on the rare occasion.
None knew what fate had in store for them; otherwise, they would have cut short the celebrations and retired to their homes peacefully.
That was how they decided to organise an after-graduation night party, choosing the Emirate Hotel as venue
Everything seemed to have gone on well until a fight, which real cause is still a subject of investigation, reportedly broke out, leading to a stampede.
When the dust of the fracas cleared, three people had lost their lives, two of them the newly graduated students.
The deaths were confirmed in a statement ion Monday by the Registrar, Mrs Funmilola Adeusi,
“Regrettably, we confirm that two of our graduands and one student lost their lives in this tragic occurrence”, the registrar stated, adding:
“Our hearts go out to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased during this profoundly difficult time.
“The university community mourns this painful loss and sympathises with the family and friends of all those affected”.
“The university remains committed to upholding the highest standards of safety, order, and integrity in all its activities”, she added
Trying to clarify the circumstances, she stated:
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“We wish to categorically state that no stampede or violent incident occurred at the convocation venue or within the university premises during or after the ceremony.”
Stating that the venue was an off-campus location, specifically at the Emirate Hotel, where some graduands independently organised a night party to celebrate their graduation.
“It was at the venue of the party that a fight reportedly broke out, leading to a stampede”.
The police is currently investigating the incident amidst grief by the relations of the victims.
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