A male food vendor identified as Lekan has died following an electrocution incident at the College of Medicine Idi Araba campus of the University of Lagos on Sunday morning.
Eyewitnesses said the tragic incident occurred at a water point located on the southern section of the campus.
Lekan was said to have gone to dispose of refuse before stopping briefly to wash his hands at the tap.
While attempting to turn off the tap, he reportedly came into contact with a metal railing close to the water point and was electrocuted.
A student who spoke anonymously said the vendor was alone at the location at the time the incident occurred.
According to the student, a security operative later noticed something unusual and quickly raised an alarm, drawing attention to the scene.
“He was washing his hands and tried to turn off the tap when he held a nearby railing. That was when he was electrocuted,” the student said.
The Secretary General of the UNILAG Students Union Government, Joshua Saanumi, confirmed the incident and stated that immediate efforts were made to save the victim.
Another source disclosed that the incident happened around 10 a.m., adding that some students attempted to resuscitate Lekan before he was rushed to the Accident and Emergency unit within the campus.
“He was not pronounced dead at the scene. He was taken to the A and E and later died there,” the source said.
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command were alerted and later visited both the scene of the incident and the medical facility where the victim was taken. Engineers were also deployed to assess the area where the electrocution occurred.
Preliminary observations, according to sources, did not immediately indicate a visibly defective railing, as the area is regularly used by students and security personnel without previous reports of similar incidents.
University officials, including security personnel and engineers, were present at the scene as investigations commenced.
In an official statement signed by the Head of the Communication Unit, Adejoke Alaga Ibraheem, the University management confirmed the incident and expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
“The University of Lagos Management regrets to confirm a fatal electrocution incident at the College of Medicine, Idi Araba campus,” the statement read.
“The unfortunate incident involved a sales assistant of a food vendor operating within the CMUL premises. The University extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and associates of the deceased,” the statement added.
The management urged members of the public to refrain from speculation, noting that investigations by relevant authorities are ongoing, while reaffirming its commitment to the safety and wellbeing of the university community.
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