By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

A  final-year student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Oluwole Oluwasegun, has died in an incident suspected to be suicide.

Oluwasegun, who was a student of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, reportedly died on Tuesday afternoon at his off-campus residence in the Damico area of Ooni Layout, Ile-Ife.

The university’s Public Relations Officer, Olarewaju Abiodun, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the university management was informed of the incident after it occurred, prompting its Quick Response and Security (QRS) Team to immediately proceed to the location.

The Nigeria Police was also contacted, and officers from the ‘A’ Division, Moore, Ile-Ife, joined the university security personnel at the scene.

The student was later taken to the university’s Health Centre, where a medical doctor confirmed his death.

The university said it had handed relevant information and items recovered from the scene over to the police to assist with the investigation.

The police have since commenced an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.

The university also informed the appropriate student affairs authorities to ensure necessary follow-up, particularly regarding the welfare and emotional support of students affected by the incident.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, expressed condolences to the deceased student’s family, friends, classmates and colleagues.

The university management also urged students experiencing severe emotional distress, relationship difficulties, financial pressure or other personal challenges to seek help from trusted people and appropriate university support services.

Bamire reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to the welfare of its students and staff, stressing that no student should feel compelled to face overwhelming difficulties alone.