A National Diploma II student of Yaba College of Technology, Balogun Sultan, has reportedly died after allegedly being struck by a stray bullet during a security operation in Lagos.
Sultan, who was enrolled in the institution’s distance learning programme, was said to be heading home after sitting for an examination when the incident occurred on Tuesday.
A fellow student explained that distance learning students typically visit campus mainly for examinations and brief in-person lectures.
“One of the things about our course is that we only come to campus for exams. We usually have two weeks of in-person lectures before each exam, and after that, we go back home,” the student said.
Sources said Sultan had completed a Research Methods assignment and was travelling from the WAEC bus stop en route to Lagos Island, where he resided, when violence reportedly broke out in the area.
Eyewitnesses alleged that soldiers had been deployed to quell a suspected cult clash. During the operation, Sultan was reportedly hit by gunfire.
“There had been reports of a potential cult clash, and soldiers were deployed to contain it. Unfortunately, he was caught in the crossfire while returning home,” a source said.
Bystanders were said to have attempted to assist him before he was rushed to the Military Hospital in Yaba for emergency treatment. Despite efforts by medical personnel, he did not survive.
Friends and classmates described Sultan as calm and dedicated to his studies, expressing shock over the loss.
The incident has reportedly left the campus community in mourning, with students calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the operation.
As of the time of filing this report, there had been no official statement from the relevant authorities regarding the incident.