By Friday Omosola
Students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State on Friday blocked the highway connecting the Akungba town to other axis in protest to demand justice over the incessant killing of students by heavy duty trucks.
The protesting students were seen with placards with difference inscriptions at about 8:00 a.m. calling for an end to heavy trucks plying Akungba, the host community of the Ondo state owned university.
Elendu Reports gathered accidents on the road by heavy duty vehicles have become a regular occurrence leading to the deaths of students and other people.
This week alone, it was reported that three consecutive accidents occurred and claimed lives of students and indigenes in the community.
“Yesterday, February, 2022, around 10 p.m, I was in bed when I heard a heavy sound and a few minutes later, I heard it was an accident which claimed the life of a student,” said a student who pleaded not to be named.
He further stated that the number of students who lost their lives to yesterday’s accident has not been ascertained as no official confirmed the numbers.
Addressing the students, Ogunsanmi Kolade, President of the university’s Students’ Union Government said “vehicles will not be allowed to move throughout today”.
“Our agitation is that we do not want trailers to ply this road again. We are here to study and not to meet untimely death.”
He added that until the federal and state governments under the leadership of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, visit the scene of the protest, students would not vacate the highway.
“We are waiting for the government officials and I have received calls that the commissioner of police and other executives will join us soon,” Ogunsanmi said.
He disclosed that another barricade would be erected at the school main gate to support the early erected barricade to prevent the incessant accident.
The students’ leader sent condolences to the family of Akinniyi Michael, a graduate from the Business Administration Department who lost his life in the Thursday’s accident.