Two students of Lagos State University (LASU) were struck by stray bullets in PPL, a popular student residential area near the university.
The incident happened around 8 PM while the students were out to purchase food.
The names of the injured students and the identity of the shooter(s) remain unknown. A Twitter user known as Baddy of Lasu, tweeting under the handle #belikebaddy, reported the incident, urging LASU students to stay indoors.
The Senior Special Adviser on Students’ Union Affairs to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kappo Olawale, confirmed the event via his Twitter account, #kappozino. Olawale noted that he had been in contact with the university’s Student Union President, who confirmed that the victims were in stable condition and were being properly attended to.
A student witness, who requested anonymity, described the incident, noting that the victims were struck by stray bullets while fleeing after hearing gunshots. One of the victims, a male, was hit in the neck and arm. He was initially taken to the LASU Health Centre and later transferred to Igando Medical Hospital, where he is responding to treatment.
A video circulating on social media showed one of the victims, a female, lying on a bed with her shirt soaked in blood.
The Dean of Students Affairs reportedly stayed with the students at the hospital to ensure they received appropriate care.
As of Monday, Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the Lagos State had not responded to inquiries about the incident.
The recent shooting incident has escalated concerns about student safety in the area, but the prompt response from university officials and the state government’s special adviser has been instrumental in containing the situation and providing vital medical care to the injured students.
Their swift action has helped mitigate the crisis and ensure the well-being of those affected.
The incident spotlights the need for increased security measures around student residential areas to prevent such occurrences in the future.