Stray Bullet Kills Yabatech Student During Military Operation

By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

A National Diploma II student from Yaba College of Technology, Balogun Sultan, has lost his life after allegedly being hit by bullets during a military intervention in Lagos. 

Sultan, a student in the school’s distance learning track, was on his way home following an exam when the fatal event took place.

A typical day of academic responsibilities ended in tragedy for the young man. Recalling their school schedule, a classmate noted, “One of the things about our course is that we only come to campus for exams. We usually have two weeks of in-person lectures before each exam, and after that, we go back home,”

On Tuesday, Sultan had finished a Research Methods assignment and was commuting from the WAEC bus stop to his residence on Lagos Island.

A peer reflected on the routine nature of his journey, stating: “He was just making his usual trip home. Nothing about the day suggested it would end like this,”

According to reports from the scene, the military had arrived in the vicinity to stop a suspected clash between cult groups. It was during this operation that Sultan was reportedly struck by stray gunfire.

Explaining the situation, a source remarked, “There had been reports of a potential cult clash, and soldiers were deployed to contain it. Unfortunately, Balogun was caught in the crossfire while returning home,”

Footage of the incident captured a scene of panic as people ran for safety amidst the sound of shots. Witnesses attempted to save Sultan by using clothes to stem his bleeding while offering prayers. He was eventually taken to the Military Hospital in Yaba for emergency chest surgery, but he tragically passed away.