By Najeeb Sani
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone E (North East), has demanded adequate compensation for the families of five Gombe State students crushed to death by a truck allegedly belonging to GUO Logistics along the Ijebu–Epe Road.
In a press statement signed by the North-east Coordinator of the association, Mu’azu Hina, and issued to our correspondent on Saturday, NANS said the company must also take full responsibility for the burial arrangements of the deceased and the medical bills of the injured victims currently receiving treatment.
The tragic accident occurred on Friday when the GUO truck reportedly left its lane and collided with a bus conveying students travelling in search of Industrial Training (IT) placements.
Five occupants of the bus lost their lives instantly. They were identified as: Isiyaku Sa’idu, Maigana Mohammed (Abbati), Anas Abubakar (Driver), Zaiyanu Bajoga and Abubakar Ibrahim
NANS Zone E described the incident as heartbreaking and condemned the alleged conduct of officials of GUO Logistics at the scene.
The association alleged that rather than showing compassion to the victims and their families, representatives of the company were more concerned about protecting its corporate image, with one of its staff reportedly attempting to erase the company’s name from the truck.
It further alleged that as of the time of the statement, the company had not reached out to the families of the deceased nor taken responsibility for the injured, who are reportedly at risk of being abandoned.
“This is unacceptable. Human lives must matter more than corporate reputation,” the student body declared.
Consequently, NANS issued a 48-hour ultimatum to GUO Logistics to compensate the bereaved families and settle the medical care of the injured.
It warned that failure to comply within 48 hours would trigger coordinated, lawful actions against the business operations of GUO Logistics across NANS Zone E until justice is served.
“As we gather further information about this tragic incident, we will communicate our findings and the actions we intend to take to the public.
“GUO Logistics must answer serious questions about this incident,” the statement added.
