Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
It was a discovery that froze the blood of anyone who heard it. A 23‑year‑old university student, a young man named Favour Olaniyi, was found lifeless in a bush near the North Gate of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), at the weekend. The circumstances were so strange that even hardened police detectives paused. There were no marks of violence on his body, no signs of a struggle. But lying beside him in the undergrowth was an empty bottle of a substance suspected to be a lethal herbicide, an indication that the tragedy may have been a suicide.
The discovery was made on Friday, May 9, 2026, sending shockwaves through the academic community. The deceased was a 100‑level student in the Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics. He was reportedly living in an off‑campus residence near the institution. His body was found just before the weekend, but the news took time to spread as authorities moved quietly to avoid panic. The university’s Director of Corporate Communication and Protocol, Mr. Adegbenro Adebanjo, confirmed the tragic event in a statement on Sunday, describing it as deeply saddening and unfortunate.
According to Mr. Adebanjo, after the incident was brought to the attention of the university management, the institution’s security apparatus immediately informed the police. Officers from the force were dispatched to the scene, while medical officials from the university and security operatives coordinated the evacuation of the body to the morgue. The parents of the deceased have since been notified. The university pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation and confirmed that counselling support is being provided to Favour’s co‑students who may have been affected by the tragedy.
The Ondo State Police Command has launched a full‑scale investigation into the matter. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed that detectives who visited the scene observed no visible signs of physical violence on the deceased. A bottle suspected to contain a poisonous substance was recovered at the scene. While the police have not yet officially ruled out foul play, the absence of external injuries and the presence of the bottle have led investigators to focus on the theory of suicide as the most likely scenario.
DSP Jimoh stated: “The Ondo State Police Command has commenced investigation into a suspected suicide case involving one Olaniyi Favour ‘M’, a 23‑year‑old 100‑level student of Federal University of Technology Akure. The deceased was reportedly found lifeless inside a bush along FUTA North Gate, Akure, on Saturday, 9th May, 2026. Detectives who visited the scene observed no visible marks of violence while a bottle suspected to contain a poisonous substance was recovered at the scene. The corpse has been deposited at the morgue for preservation and further examination while investigation is ongoing to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
The command urged members of the public, especially young people, to seek help and counselling during difficult times and avoid actions that could endanger their lives. The Students Affairs Division of FUTA has also reiterated its readiness and willingness to provide support for students who may be battling any issues, on or off campus.
The tragedy has left the campus in a state of mourning. Students and residents in the area were seen gathered in clusters, struggling to comprehend the tragic incident. The loss of a young life, filled with potential, has once again raised questions about the pressures facing tertiary institution students in the country.
As of the evening of May 11, 2026, the name of the deceased has been made known to the public, but the exact motive for the alleged act remains unknown. The police have stated that investigations are continuing and further updates will be provided as the case develops.
The incident has triggered a wider conversation within academic circles about the availability of mental health support in universities.
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