Ex-UI lecturer dies in fire accident

• IBEDC Staff Electrocuted

Tragedy struck at the Senior Staff Quarters of University of Ibadan (UI) at the weekend, as a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, Mr. Aminu Zubair reportedly committed suicide by setting himself ablaze.But the university authority said the lecturer, who just resigned from the school but yet to vacate his official residence, did not commit suicide but died of inferno that engulfed his home.

Meanwhile, an employee of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Mr. Adewale Adegoke was electrocuted yesterday, around Onireke in Ibadan North West Local Council of Oyo State. He died on the spot.

Sources said the deceased was among the team sent to restore power to Dugbe Business District, Onireke Quarters, Adamasingba, Sabo and others that had been in blackout since Friday.

“The team left Mokola yesterday morning to the Onireke axis where the fault was detected. While Adegoke was working on the high tension cable, he was suddenly trapped and electrocuted. The management, thereafter, announced the officer’s death on its social media platform and commiserated with his family,” a source said.

The university’s Director of Communication, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo, said Zubair died in a fire outbreak that occurred at his residence.Oladejo said if not for the timely intervention of the school’s Fire Service, the whole building would have been razed.He said: “Zubair worked in the Department of Mathematics before his exit. He was a lecturer but had resigned and was no more in the service of the University of Ibadan. He was allowed to continue to reside in Flat 4, Block 6 Phillipson Road, on compassionate ground, pending the time he would move out.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Oyo State Command, SP Olugbenga Fadeyi, said thecommand was not aware.But sources that expressed concerns over Zubair’s attitude, said he had withdrawn from people. He was said to have complained of not progressing in his career as a lecturer. His wife and three children survived.He was buried at Akinyele Public Cemetery, Ibadan according to Islamic rites.A source said:” All efforts to save him proved abortive. Isolation could deepen depression, which may culminate in suicidal ideation.”