Four die as bridge collapses at Bauchi varsity

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi has lost four of its students to a collapsed bridge at the Gubi campus of the institution. The incident also left several injured.

Located at Ganjuwa council area of the state, the campus is 10 kilometers away from the metropolis.

Eyewitnesses said the metal fabricated bridge caved in around 12midnight when students were returning to their hostels after a heavy downpour.

The structure linking the lecture rooms to the hostels went down in deep water while many students were washed away.

The Guardian gathered that three males and a female died immediately while the injured are currently receiving treatment at the university’s medical centre.

The students, who are writing their first semester examinations fumed, claiming that the avoidable tragedy was caused by the school management’s alleged negligence and failure to heed their calls for a standard facility and a good road network within the ivory tower.

One of the students said his roommate simply identified as Joseph died, adding: “He was a 300 level student of Business Management from Kogi State.”
During a visit to the scene, security agents and students were seen searching the waters for survivors.

The students, however in their thousands, brandished placards with different inscriptions like “students’ lives matter”, “listen to our plights” among others, saying the location of the tertiary institution was exposing them to snakes as a result of the bushes around.

The school management has nonetheless expressed sadness over the incident and declared 12-day mourning.

The vice chancellor, Professor Muhammad Ahmad AbdulAzeez said: “I regret to announce the death of four of our students. The unfortunate accident that led to the demise of the students occurred late last night (Tuesday) at Gubi campus of our university.

“While the full details of the occurrence are being awaited, the university senate, at an emergency meeting, has decided to close the school in honour of the students. The reopening date has been fixed for August 19.”

The administrator confirmed injuries of varying degrees on seven others.

“We are mourning our students and we commiserate with the families of the deceased and pray that Allah grant the souls of the departed eternal rest,” he added.

AbdulAzeez stated the management has ordered the immediate construction of a modern bridge, adding that the delay was due to paucity of funds.