Army begs UNIBEN students to 'keep calm' after fatal accident

The Nigerian Army has urged students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) to 'keep calm' over the tragic death of their colleague along the Lagos/Benin Expressway on Sunday.

Halim Rita Awele, a 200 level Philosophy student and another female student were knocked down at about 8.30 a.m. on the multiple lane expressway in front of the university gate.

The vehicle was driven by an Operation Pulo Shield Vehicle driven by a soldier.

In a Tuesday statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the 4 Mechanised Brigade, Capt. Jonah Unuakhalu, the Army urged the students to remain calm.

“On Sunday morning at about 8.30 a.m. there was a road traffic accident involving Operation Pulo Shield Vehicle driven by a soldier that knocked down two females who were confirmed to be students of University of Benin," the statement read.

“They were, however evacuated to a nearby hospital where one was confirmed dead, while the other student is responding to treatment."

The army said that ‎the command had commenced an investigation into the incident and has also made efforts to each the families of the deceased.

“Efforts are being made by the command to reach the university authority and families of the two students involved in the accident and also to further dialogue with the Students Union Government to avert the protest but the students insisted on speaking with government officials.

“It is advisable that the students should keep calm as the command is looking into the issue."

Awele's death had sparked protests which grounded commercial activities at Ogbowo axis of Benin City on Tuesday.

The president of the Student Union Government, Comrade Omorogbe, who led the protests demanded that speed bumps and a flyover to prevent a reoccurrence of the tragedy.