NANS Petitions Silver Transport Company, Demands Justice for Five UNIOSUN Students Killed in Auto Crash

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for justice following the tragic death of five students from Osun State University (UNIOSUN) in an auto crash near Ibadan, Oyo State. In a petition addressed to President Bola Tinubu on March 24, 2025, NANS South West General Secretary, Oluwole Olutunde Aboke, alongside NAUS CMC Osun (JCC Osun) and NANS South West (Zone D), accused Silver Transport Company of negligence and failure to take responsibility for the incident.

The student body alleged that the transport company displayed gross recklessness and a lack of accountability, pointing out that despite the severity of the accident, the company had neither issued an official statement nor reached out to the victims’ families. They described this silence as not only disrespectful to the bereaved families but also a clear disregard for human lives and public safety.

NANS emphasized the need for accountability, urging the presidency to initiate an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. They demanded that Silver Transport Company be held responsible for any safety violations that contributed to the crash. Should the company be found guilty of negligence, they insisted on its indefinite closure to prevent further loss of lives.

The association further called on the Ministry of Transportation to review the company’s operational license and assess whether it meets the necessary safety standards required for commercial transport operations in Nigeria. They stressed that the affected students and their families deserve justice and urged the government to compel the company to take full responsibility, including providing compensation to the bereaved families.

NANS also implored the Nigeria Police to ensure that the case is not swept under the rug, citing a pattern of corporate negligence being overlooked in similar incidents. They urged the Inspector General of Police and the Osun State Police Commissioner to guarantee that the case is thoroughly investigated and not manipulated in favor of the transport company.

Warning against inaction, the students stated that they would not remain silent while corporate irresponsibility continues to claim innocent lives. They declared that if swift action is not taken, NANS JCC Osun would mobilize students across the state and beyond for a mass protest to demand justice.

Expressing confidence in the government’s commitment to justice and public safety, NANS called for immediate intervention to ensure that those responsible for the tragedy are held accountable.