YABATECH Student Killed by Stray Bullet During Military Operation in Lagos

Tragedy struck Lagos on Tuesday as Balogun Sultan, a National Diploma II student of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), lost his life after being reportedly struck by gunfire during a security operation.

Sultan, enrolled in the college’s distance learning programme, was returning home from an examination when he was caught in the crossfire between soldiers and suspected cult groups in Lagos Island.

Caught in Crossfire

Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with residents fleeing as gunshots rang out across the streets. Sultan, who had just completed a Research Methods assignment, was travelling from the WAEC bus stop toward his home when the incident occurred.

“Nothing about the day suggested it would end like this. He was just making his usual trip home,” a fellow student recounted.

Soldiers were reportedly deployed to quell a reported cult clash in the area. Sultan was allegedly hit by stray bullets during the operation. Bystanders attempted to provide first aid before he was rushed to the Military Hospital in Yaba, where surgeons performed emergency chest surgery. Despite their efforts, Sultan did not survive.

Campus in Mourning

Classmates and friends remember Sultan as calm, focused, and respectful—a young man dedicated to his studies and who avoided trouble. The news of his death has left the campus in shock, with lecture halls now filled with hushed conversations and grief.

“He was quiet and dedicated to finishing his course. Now his family will never see him return home alive,” one friend said.

The tragedy highlights the dangers posed by armed clashes in densely populated areas and raises concerns about civilian safety during military operations.