Late on Monday evening, two students from Lagos State University (LASU) were struck by stray bullets in a well-known student residential area called PPL, located just outside the school campus.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. while the students were out to purchase food. Currently, the names of the students involved in the stray bullets and the identity of the shooter(s) remain unknown. The incident has caused significant concern among the student community and prompted warnings for students to stay indoors.
A user on Twitter, identified as Baddy of Lasu and tweeting under the handle #belikebaddy, reported the event, urging LASU students to remain inside for their safety. Kappo Olawale, who serves as the Senior Special Adviser on Students’ Union Affairs to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, confirmed the shooting through a tweet on X.com under the handle #kappozino. Olawale mentioned that he was in communication with the university’s Student Union President, who assured him that the injured students were in stable condition.
He further added that the Dean of Students had been actively involved in ensuring the students received proper medical attention. Olawale expressed his relief and gratitude in his tweet, noting, “I have kept in touch with the President of the Student Union. Information passed just now is that the students have been stabilised.
The Dean of Students was also on the ground to ensure they were properly attended to. Thanks to God!”An anonymous student from the university, who requested anonymity due to a lack of authorization to speak on the matter, provided additional details to our correspondent. According to this source, the students had gone out to buy food when they were caught in the crossfire. They heard gunshots and ran back home, only to discover that one of them, a male student, had been hit in the neck and arm by stray bullets.
The severity of the male student’s injuries required immediate medical attention. He was first taken to the LASU Health Centre but was subsequently transferred to the Igando Medical Hospital due to the critical nature of his condition. Fortunately, reports indicate that he is already responding to treatment.
captures the chaotic aftermath of the shooting, with students seen fleeing the scene and others attempting to help the injured. The video, which has since gone viral on social media, shows a group of students surrounding the victims, frantically attempting to administer first aid while waiting for medical assistance to arrive.
Local authorities responded quickly to the incident, with police officers and emergency services arriving at the scene shortly after the shooting was reported. The Lagos State Police Command has launched an investigation into the incident, with initial reports suggesting that the stray bullets may have been fired during a confrontation between rival groups in the area.
In response to the shooting, Lagos State University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, issued a statement expressing her deep concern and condemning the violence. She assured the university community that steps are being taken to enhance security around the campus and urged students to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
The university has also set up a support system for the affected students and their families, including counseling services and financial assistance for medical expenses. The Student Union has been actively involved in coordinating these efforts and providing updates to the student body.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for improved security measures both on and off-campus. Many students and faculty members have taken to social media to express their frustration and demand action from university authorities and local government officials.
The hashtag #SafeCampusNow has been trending, with students sharing their experiences and advocating for a safer learning environment. As investigations continue, the university administration has pledged full cooperation with law enforcement agencies to ensure that those responsible for the shooting are brought to justice.
Meanwhile, heightened security measures have been implemented, including increased patrols and the installation of additional surveillance cameras around the campus and its environs. The community remains on edge as they await further updates from the authorities. The tragic event has underscored the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms to protect students and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.