NANS Demands Justice for Five UNIOSUN Students Killed in Auto Crash
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for justice following the tragic deaths of five students from Osun State University (UNIOSUN) in a fatal auto crash near Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
In a petition addressed to President Bola Tinubu on March 24, 2025, NANS South West General Secretary, Oluwole Olutunde Aboke, alongside NAUS CMC Osun (JCC Osun) and NANS South West (Zone D), accused the Silver Transport Company of negligence and a failure to take responsibility for the accident involving the students.
The student body condemned the transport company for its gross negligence, recklessness, and lack of accountability surrounding the incident.
NANS expressed its disappointment that, despite the severity of the crash, the transport company had yet to issue any official statement, offer condolences to the victims’ families, or acknowledge its role in the tragedy. The silence, they argued, was not only an insult to the grieving families but also a blatant disregard for human life and public safety.
“Your Excellency, this recklessness cannot go unpunished. Companies operating in Nigeria must be held accountable for their actions, especially when their negligence results in the loss of innocent lives,” the students stated in the petition.
The students appealed to President Tinubu to mandate an independent investigation into the circumstances of the accident, ensuring that the transport company is held accountable for any safety violations. They also demanded the indefinite closure of the company if found guilty of negligence, to prevent further loss of life.
Additionally, NANS urged the Ministry of Transportation to review the operational licenses of transport companies and assess whether they meet necessary safety standards to continue operating in Nigeria.
The students emphasized that both the affected students and their families deserve justice, calling on the government to compel the transport company to take full responsibility and compensate the victims’ families for their loss.
NANS also urged the Nigerian Police not to bury the case, highlighting a pattern where corporate negligence cases are often overlooked. They called on the Inspector General of Police and the Osun State Police Commissioner to ensure the case is thoroughly investigated and not manipulated in favor of the transport company.
In conclusion, NANS warned that Nigerian students would not remain silent in the face of continued corporate irresponsibility that endangers lives. They threatened that if immediate action was not taken, NANS JCC Osun would mobilize students across the state and beyond for mass action to demand justice.
“We trust in Your Excellency’s commitment to justice and public safety, and we look forward to your immediate intervention in this pressing matter,” they concluded.
