Students Injured in Robbery Attack at Obafemi Awolowo University Off-Campus Hostels Amid Rising Insecurity
Students Injured in Robbery Attack at Obafemi Awolowo University Off-Campus Hostels Amid Rising Insecurity
Two students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, were injured during a robbery at off-campus student hostels, which occurred late Monday night. This incident comes nearly two months after a student went missing under mysterious circumstances, heightening concerns over the safety of students living outside the university campus.
According to reports, the robbers, armed with cutlasses and a firearm, stormed two hostels around 11 p.m., breaking windows and stealing valuables such as mobile phones, laptops, and cash. Videos from the scene revealed bloodstains on the floor and damage to a burglar-proof window.
A student, who identified himself as Daniel, recounted that the attack began around 10:49 p.m., with the assailants raiding one hostel before moving on to Peace Hostel. During the incident, two students sustained injuries—one was attacked with a cutlass after resisting the robbers’ attempt to seize his phone. The robbers fled the scene but shot into the air when chased, causing the students to scatter. The Students’ Union Government (SUG) quickly mobilized to bring the injured to the university health center, and police patrols were dispatched to monitor the area afterward.
The SUG also issued a statement expressing deep concern over the ongoing insecurity, citing the disappearance of a student, Dorcas Oseghale, over two months ago, with no progress in her case. The union reported that another student was kidnapped recently but managed to escape during an attempted transfer.
Similarly, the Students’ Representative Council of Obafemi Awolowo University condemned the rising wave of violence, describing the situation as creating a climate of fear among students. They criticized security agencies and the state government for their perceived inaction despite repeated attacks, and called for urgent measures to protect students’ lives and property. The council also urged the university administration to address the housing crisis, which forces many students to live off-campus in insecure environments.
Efforts to reach the university’s Public Relations Officer for comments were unsuccessful, as his phone was switched off, and messages went unanswered. On the other hand, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, stated that the police were unaware of the incident and encouraged students to report such cases at their local police stations for proper documentation. He advised the affected students to seek additional security measures, such as employing guards.
Incidents of violence and theft targeting students’ hostels are a recurring problem across Nigerian university communities, especially in areas with inadequate security arrangements outside campus.
