Gbolahan Ojo, a 100-level Business Administration student at the University of Ilesa, has died after being electrocuted while using his phone during a thunderstorm.
The tragic incident occurred on Friday evening at his hostel near the Prototype Engineering Development Institute (PEDI) junction in Ilesa.
Witnesses said Ojo was playing a game on his phone, which was plugged into a power source, when lightning struck during a downpour. He was rushed to the hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival.
A fellow student, identified as Olawale, confirmed the circumstances surrounding the incident. The university management, in a statement by the registrar, Funso Ojo, described the incident as deeply unfortunate and attributed the electrocution to the lightning that accompanied the storm.
The student’s body has since been deposited at Wesley Guild Hospital, following a police visit to the scene.
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The statement reads: “Following the incident, the University promptly informed the Police, and after due clearance, the remains of the deceased were taken to the morgue of the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa.
“The Police have since commenced a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The father of the deceased was immediately notified and has since arrived in Ilesa. In a show of deep concern and solidarity, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Taiwo Asaolu; the Registrar, Mr. Funso Ojo; the Dean of Student Affairs; the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences; the Head of the Department of Business Administration; and the Area Commander of Police were all physically present to receive and console the bereaved father.
“The University of Ilesa has also made necessary arrangements to support the family during this moment of intense grief and will continue to stand by them through this difficult time.
“The entire University community mourns this painful loss and prays for the repose of Gbolahan’s soul. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, classmates, and the Department of Business Administration.”
