A commercial bus driver, known as Lukman, who regularly drove along the route to the University of Ilorin, collapsed while transporting some students to the school on Friday. This incident shocked the vehicle’s occupants. One of the passengers who witnessed the event recounted in a widely circulated WhatsApp message that he took control of the moving bus after the driver collapsed to ensure the safety of the other students and prevent further tragedy.
The passenger stated, “Our bus driver suddenly passed away while driving us from Sanrab to Unilorin. I was seated in the front but was engrossed in reading the Qur’an on my phone, so I didn’t notice at first. The person next to me alerted me to the situation when he saw the driver slump over, repeatedly calling out for help. When I looked up, the driver was already struggling for breath, and the bus was veering off the road. I immediately pressed the brake, grabbed the steering wheel, and brought the bus to a stop. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the school clinic. All of this happened within just 30 minutes.”
The deceased driver’s colleague, Sulyman Malik, who also confirmed the incident, shared, “He greeted me on Thursday, mentioning my recent accident. This incident underscores the transient nature of life. He has since been laid to rest in accordance with Islamic customs. He was a good-looking man, and it’s hard to imagine his death even in the next 30 years.”
When contacted, the Director of Information at the University of Ilorin, Mr Kunle Akogun, confirmed the unfortunate incident and described it as deeply regrettable.
