Hostel Fire at OSPOLY, Iree Sparks Outcry Over Emergency Response

By Samuel Akintola 

There was tension and heartbreak at the Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree, on Thursday evening after a fire outbreak swept through a student hostel, leaving behind a trail of loss and frustration.

The incident, which reportedly razed the hostel completely, destroyed students’ personal belongings and vital academic materials. Thankfully, no lives were lost — a relief in the middle of what many are calling a very painful experience.

In a statement released by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Committee (JCC), Osun Axis, the student body described the incident as deeply unfortunate and preventable in its impact.

According to the statement signed by the Caretaker Chairman, Comrade Olawole Sheriffdeen Abolaji, concerns were raised over the response of the Osun State Fire Service, which was said to have arrived late at the scene.

Even more troubling, the statement alleged that the fire service vehicle was not adequately prepared for the emergency, reportedly lacking sufficient fuel at a critical moment — a situation that may have worsened the extent of the damage.

For many students, the experience has left questions hanging in the air: how prepared are our emergency services when every second counts?

The NANS leadership described the incident as a wake-up call, pointing to gaps in the state’s emergency response system. It called on the Executive Governor of Osun State to urgently order a full investigation into how the situation was handled.

Beyond investigation, the student body is demanding action — a real upgrade of the fire service system. Better funding, functional equipment, reliable logistics, and a response structure that can move fast when lives and property are at risk.

Across campus, the mood remains tense. Students are still processing the loss, while also calling for stronger safety measures in hostels and a more dependable emergency system that can prevent a repeat of such a devastating incident.

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