OAU Student Electrocuted While Retrieving Football in Osun

A student from the Centre for Distance Learning (CDL) at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, tragically lost his life on Saturday evening in Moro, Osun State, after being electrocuted while trying to retrieve a football.

The incident occurred at a private hostel along the Moro–Ife Road, where the student had been playing football with friends. According to an eyewitness, the ball had rolled into a neighboring compound, prompting the student to climb over the fence to retrieve it.

After successfully getting the ball and throwing it back to his friends, the student was electrocuted while attempting to climb back over the fence. He came into contact with an exposed high-tension cable.

“The wire had been brought down by a rainstorm the day before,” a resident, who requested anonymity, explained. “He was trying to return when his hand touched the exposed wire, and he was electrocuted immediately.”

His friends, noticing his prolonged absence, rushed to the scene and used a stick to free him from the wire before taking him to a private hospital in Ipetumodu. Unfortunately, he was declared dead upon arrival.

“He was confirmed dead at the facility. We later learned they also took him to another hospital, but he had already passed away,” the witness said.

Abiodun Olanrewaju, the spokesperson for Obafemi Awolowo University, confirmed the incident and expressed heartfelt condolences to the student’s family.

“It is unfortunate that we lost one of our CDL students under such circumstances. He had just joined the group to play and was the one who kicked the ball out. In line with the group’s rule, he went to retrieve it. After throwing it back, he unknowingly placed his hand on a live wire while attempting to climb out,” Olanrewaju stated.

“His friends found him unresponsive and removed him from the wire with a stick. Though they acted swiftly, he was declared dead on arrival at the hospital,” he continued.

Olanrewaju also mentioned that Professor Femi Koya, the Director of CDL, had contacted the student’s family to inform them of the heartbreaking incident.

The student’s identity remains undisclosed as efforts continue to manage the situation with respect and sensitivity.