Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi has lost four of its students, following a collapsed bridge at the Gubi campus of the institution.
The incident, which occurred on Monday 5th August, 2019 claimed four students and left several others injured.
Eyewitnesses said the bridge caved in around 12 midnight when students were returning to their hostels after a heavy downpour.
Reporters gathered that three males and a female died immediately while the injured are currently receiving treatment at the university’s medical centre.
The students, who are writing their first semester examinations fumed, claiming that the avoidable tragedy was caused by the school management’s alleged negligence and failure to heed their calls for a standard facility and a good road network within the institution.
The students, however in their thousands, brandished placards with different inscriptions like “students’ lives matter”, “listen to our plights” among others, saying the location of the tertiary institution was exposing them to snakes as a result of the bushes around.
The school management has nonetheless expressed sadness over the incident and declared 12-day mourning.
The vice chancellor, Professor Muhammad Ahmad AbdulAzeez said: “I regret to announce the death of four of our students. The unfortunate accident that led to the demise of the students occurred late last night (Tuesday) at Gubi campus of our university.
“While the full details of the occurrence are being awaited, the university senate, at an emergency meeting, has decided to close the school in honour of the students. The reopening date has been fixed for August 19.”
The management has ordered the immediate construction of a modern bridge, adding that the delay was due to paucity of funds.
