OAU Students Demand Improved Security Over Rising Off-Campus Robberies

Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, have called for urgent improvement in security measures to curb the increasing cases of armed robbery targeting students living off-campus, particularly in the Moremi Estate area of the town.

The demand was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the university, co-signed by its Speaker, Awe Ademola, Deputy Speaker, Nasir Hameed, and Clerk, Ayeni Deborah.

The student body expressed deep concern over what it described as a “climate of fear and uncertainty” in student communities across Ile-Ife following repeated robbery attacks.

According to the council, the most recent incident occurred around 11 p.m. on Sunday at Oreoluwa Hostel in Moremi Estate, where several students were reportedly assaulted and dispossessed of their belongings.

“This is not an isolated event; it is a continuation of a frightening trend that has persisted for far too long while those responsible for protecting lives and property fold their arms in shameful silence,” the statement read.

The SRC criticised the Osun State Government and security agencies for failing to tackle the problem despite receiving consistent security allocations. It demanded “immediate and decisive action” from Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, and the Divisional Police Officer of Moore Division, stressing that “students’ lives are not expendable.”

The council also urged the university management to address the underlying cause of the crisis by expanding on-campus accommodation. “The long-term solution lies in bringing more students back on campus. Safety cannot be guaranteed when thousands are left to fend for themselves outside,” it added.

When contacted, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the command was not aware of the reported attack. He advised the affected students to file formal complaints at the nearest police station for proper documentation.

“I am not aware of such an incident in Ile-Ife. If they had reported to the nearest division, I would have been informed. The affected students should go and report so we can take action. The estate should also get guards for additional security,” Ojelabi stated.