Stray Bullet Claims Life of Osun Graduate After Receiving NYSC Call-Up

A tragic incident has shaken Esa-Oke community in Osun State as Taoreed, a fresh graduate of the Osun State College of Technology, was killed by a stray bullet during a clash between rival cult groups.

According to reports, the 23-year-old had just collected his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) call-up letter on Tuesday, September 23, and was waiting to board a bus home when the fatal shooting occurred. Witnesses revealed that cult violence had erupted the previous day, September 22, during a signing-out celebration for final-year students, leaving one student dead.

The violence reportedly escalated into a reprisal attack along the Ilesa–Esa-Oke Road, where Taoreed unknowingly found himself caught in the crossfire. Eyewitnesses said gunmen opened fire on their rivals, but a stray bullet struck Taoreed, who ran for cover without realizing he had been hit. He was later discovered in a nearby bush, unresponsive, with his NYSC call-up letter still in a black cross bag he carried.

Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, described it as a cult-related clash that claimed two lives. “It was a cult clash. One student died instantly, while another passed away at the hospital. Efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend those behind the violence,” Ojelabi said.

Students of the institution expressed deep concern, noting that cult-related attacks had become a recurring menace during signing-out celebrations. One student, who spoke anonymously, recalled that a similar attack happened last year, emphasizing the need for stronger security measures during such events.

The tragic loss of Taoreed has sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians lamenting the grip of cultism and insecurity on the country’s campuses. Some described Nigeria as “a crime scene,” while others called for stricter gun control and a nationwide crackdown on cult activities.

As his family and community mourn the loss of a young man who was preparing for the next chapter of his life, the incident has once again highlighted the dangers faced by students in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions and the urgent need for reforms to safeguard them.