Students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State on Wednesday protested against the killing of one of them, identified as Israel Anuolowapo by a reckless driver.
Anuolowapo, a 100 level student of the Mathematics Department of the institution was allegedly killed by a hit and run vehicle in front of the university main gate on Tuesday.
During the protest, the students in their hundreds barricaded the busy Ilesa-Akure Expressway, chanting various solidarity songs.
The protest caused traffic gridlock on the road as the motorists, especially the travellers were delayed for several hours by the protesters.
The students demanded that the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing should erect speed breakers on the expressway to reduce the recklessness of some of the drivers.
According to an eyewitness, it took the intervention of the men of the Ondo State Police Command, who appealed to the students to open the road.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Femi Joseph, said the matter had been resolved while the government had agreed to erect speed breakers on the expressway.
“When we got the information of the protest, we immediately swung into action and appealed to them (students) but normalcy has returned to the place now.”
In a reaction, the Head of Media and Protocols Unit of the FUTA, Mr. Adegbenro Adebayo, said the school had met with the state government, to erect speed breakers on the road.
Adebanjo stated, ” It was a very unfortunate incident, it happened yesterday ( Tuesday) and the boy died the same day at the hospital. We have formally informed the parents of the deceased. We have met with the government officials today ( Wednesday ) and our students have stopped the protest and they are all back on the campus and normal activities have resumed in the campus.
