THE management of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi State, has closed down the University following the collapse of a pedestrian bridge in the school premises that led to the death of four students, leaving many injured.

An earlier report put the number of deaths as two, however, during a press briefing, Vice-Chancellor Muhammad Abdullazeez confirmed the death of four students.

“I regret to announce the death of four of our students on August 5th, 2019,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor said the incident that led to the demise of the students occurred late on Monday night at the Gubi Campus of the University.

While full details of the occurrence were being awaited, he said the University Senate at an emergency meeting had decided to close down the school in honour of the deceased comprising three males and one female.

“For now, we learnt that while the students were trying to return to their hostel in the midst (sic) of the rain last night, the connecting bridge between their reading area and their hostel collapsed and the four students drowned.

“We closed down the school because we are mourning,” said Abdulazeez.

The students were requested to vacate the campuses for the 13-days break.

The reopening date was fixed for Tuesday, 19 August.

Before the University declared the break, students were undertaking the first-semester examination.

The injured students are currently receiving medical treatment at the university medical centre, while the rescue team is still searching to recover bodies of the victims, according to the University authorities.

Students had blamed the incident on the institution’s authorities.  Speaking to journalists about the incident, Naziru Mohammed, President of the Student Union Government (SUG), said the management failed to repair the bridge even after weeks of complaints.

A heavy downpour that occurred on Monday caused flooding, later the bridge gave way.