Police Fire Tear Gas as Osun Students Protest Colleague’s Death

Police Fire Tear Gas as Osun Students Protest Colleague’s Death

Tension erupted in Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, on Wednesday after students of Interlink College of Health Technology clashed with police officers following the death of a student in a tragic road accident.

The deceased student, identified simply as Oluwaseun, was a National Diploma II student in the Department of Mass Communication.

According to eyewitnesses, Oluwaseun was returning to Ijebu-Jesa from Ilesa on a commercial motorcycle when a bus reportedly collided with the motorcycle along the busy Ijebu-Jesa/Esa-Oke Road.

Despite efforts by sympathisers and emergency responders to save him, the student later died from injuries sustained in the crash.

The incident immediately sparked outrage among students of the institution, who stormed the accident scene demanding that the bus driver involved in the accident be handed over to them.

Videos obtained from the scene showed angry students confronting police operatives and blocking sections of the road while chanting in protest.

Sources said the situation escalated after police officers attempted to move the vehicle involved in the crash to the station for investigation.

“Students were emotional and demanded that the driver be released to them. The police insisted that proper investigation must be carried out, and that led to tension,” a witness said.

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According to residents, some aggrieved students allegedly attempted to set the bus ablaze, prompting police officers to fire tear gas canisters into the air to disperse the crowd and prevent further violence.

The use of tear gas reportedly created panic in parts of the community as traders and residents fled for safety.

Vehicular movement along the road was also temporarily disrupted as protesting students marched through parts of the town demanding justice for their colleague.

Residents of the area described the Ijebu-Jesa/Esa-Oke Road as an accident-prone route where reckless driving and overspeeding frequently endanger lives.

Some community leaders called on the Osun State Government to install speed breakers, traffic signs and other road safety measures around the area to prevent future accidents.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said officers were deployed to maintain law and order after the protest began.

He added that normalcy had been restored and investigations into the accident were ongoing.

Meanwhile, the management of Interlink College of Health Technology announced the temporary closure of the institution in honour of the deceased student.

In a statement signed by Mr. L. Balogun on behalf of the Registrar, the school management urged students to remain calm and prayerful during the mourning period.

“Students are hereby advised to remain calm and prayerful during this difficult time. Academic activities will resume on Tuesday, 19th May, 2026,” the statement read.

The incident has renewed concerns over road safety in Osun State, especially around school environments where students and residents remain vulnerable to accidents involving commercial vehicles.

Police Fire Tear Gas as Osun Students Protest Colleague’s Death