Stray Bullet Kills Osun Graduate After Collecting NYSC Call-Up Letter

A fresh graduate of the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, simply identified as Taoreed, has died after being hit by a stray bullet during a renewed clash between rival cult groups in the community.

The incident, which threw students and residents into panic, reportedly occurred on Tuesday, September 23, barely a day after cultists killed a final-year student during a sign-out celebration near the institution.

According to eyewitnesses, chaos first broke out on Monday, September 22, when gunshots rang out during signing-out festivities. A student, who spoke with journalists on condition of anonymity, said many had to flee for safety.

“We were signing out when we suddenly heard gunshots outside the school premises. Everyone ran. Later, we heard a final-year student had been killed by cultists. It was a terrible situation,” the student recounted.

On Tuesday, Taoreed was said to have visited the school to collect his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) call-up letter. A police source revealed that he was waiting by the roadside along the Ilesa–Esa-Oke Road when suspected cultists opened fire in a reprisal attack.

“The cultists had targeted their rivals, but a stray bullet struck him. He tried to run for safety without realising he had been hit. He was later found in a nearby bush unresponsive, with his call-up letter inside a black bag he carried,” the source disclosed.

Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, described it as a cult clash that claimed two lives.

“Two students were killed. One died on the spot, and the other died in the hospital. Efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators,” Ojelabi said.