Tragedy struck on Sunday as two postgraduate students of the University of Lagos drowned in the Elegushi Beach during the celebration of their friend’s birthday.
It was learnt that the deceased – Adesola Ogunmefun and Funmi Odusina – graduated from the Covenant University and were on the verge of bagging Master’s Degrees in International Law and Diplomacy from UNILAG.
It was gathered that the deceased and the host were having fun at the beach around 6pm when they were swept into the Atlantic Ocean.
Other visitors to the beach were said to have rescued them, but Ogunmefun died on the spot.
Odusina and the host, identified only as Bolu, were rushed to some private hospitals in the area, but were reportedly rejected. Odusina died on the way to the Lagos Island General Hospital, while Bolu was recuperating in the facility.
A friend of the deceased, Edward Onyemathi, said the deaths could have been avoided if adequate safety gadgets were provided at the beach.
On Twitter, colleagues of the deceased expressed their shock at the deaths, which they blamed on the alleged inadequacies of the beach management.
“I’m honestly still trying hard to accept the news. I’ve not been myself all day. My heart bleeds,” a friend, Temie, wrote.
Another friend, Kay, while lamenting the incident, wrote, “What would it cost to have life guards, emergency medical units and patrol units at the beach?”
“Sola and Funmi died like that. Countless people lost their lives due to lack of safety protocols at the Eleguish Beach,” Edward wrote.
Marc wrote, “Funmi and Sola were two of the most amazing people I have ever met in my life. I am so grateful for their friendship. Sola was a true friend in every sense. Funmi was ever ready to help. This is sad.”
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the incident was reported at the Ilasan Police Division on Monday and investigation had commenced.
She said, “The families of the deceased just reported the incident to the police that the hospital did not want to release the corpses. Investigation has commenced and the culpability of the management of the beach will also be investigated.”
The UNILAG spokesperson, Mr. Toyin Adebule, descibed the incident as unfortunate and promised to get back to our correspondent on the verification of the deceased’s studentship.
He said, “I have left the office but I will verify that when I get to the school tomorrow. It is unfortunate but the incident has nothing to do with the university. They were on individual assignment.”