Students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, have raised an alarm over what they describe as a wave of unchecked armed robberies in student-populated areas outside the campus.Nigerian fashion
This was disclosed in a press release issued on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, by the university’s Students’ Union, stating that the security situation in Ile-Ife has deteriorated rapidly, with at least 30 confirmed robbery attacks on students occurring within just two weeks.
The group, therefore, demanded immediate intervention from the Nigerian and Osun State governments.Nigerian fashion
“Over the past few weeks, the security situation in Ile-Ife, especially in areas largely populated by students of Obafemi Awolowo University, has deteriorated at an alarming rate. We are deeply disturbed by the increasing rate of armed robberies that have targeted students exclusively in their hostels/residential areas off-campus,” the statement said.
According to the Union, the robberies have left a trail of physical, psychological, and financial damage.
It noted that students have been injured, dispossessed of their valuables, and subjected to horrifying ordeals at the hands of armed robbers.
The statement added: “In just the last two weeks, we have recorded no fewer than 30 separate robbery incidents, all involving only students. Behind every case is a student who has been traumatised, brutalised, extorted, and left helpless.
“Phones are being stolen. Monies are being wiped from students’ bank accounts. Hostels are being broken into in the dead of night. And, even worse, students are being severely injured.”
The Union recounted a particularly disturbing incident in which a student was attacked with a machete during a robbery.
“Just last week, a student was macheted on the head during a robbery at his hostel. He is currently in a critical condition and is still receiving treatment at the hospital. Just this midnight, there were four robbery incidents in three different locations in Ife.
“One student lost her phone. Another had his car stolen, and all the money in his account transferred, leaving him with nothing.”
Despite repeated reports to the authorities, the Union said the police have failed to act decisively.
“We have not been quiet. For every incident, we have promptly contacted the police. We have visited nearby police stations and even the Osun State Criminal Investigation Department (CID),” it said. “Yet, there has been no tangible improvement. Just this last night, when we reached out to the police, they mentioned that they do not have functional operational vehicles to respond. This is highly unacceptable.”
The Union called on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Osun State Government to take decisive action to restore security in the OAU environment.
It demanded that the Osun State Government, the Osun State Police Command, and the Ife Central Local Government Authority immediately provide functional patrol and operational vehicles to police and Amotekun units operating in and around Ife.
The students further called on the Nigeria Police Force to urgently increase patrol presence and deploy special tactical units to student-populated areas of Ile-Ife.
They also urged the federal and state ministries of education to prioritise the construction of on-campus hostels, saying that many students are forced to live off-campus due to limited accommodation.
The Union also demanded that the OAU management intensify its engagement with security agencies and improve protection measures for students, including those residing off-campus.
In a final warning, the Union made it clear that students would no longer sit idly while their lives were endangered.
It added: “If these demands are not treated with the urgency and seriousness they deserve, we, the students of Great Ife, under the leadership of the Students’ Union, will have no choice but to escalate our actions, including but not limited to mass demonstrations and peaceful protests to express our growing frustrations and desperation.”
Concluding their statement, the Union declared: “Students came here to learn, not to be hunted. We can no longer live in fear. We will defend ourselves with every voice and means available to us. We demand action. We demand safety. We demand justice.”
The statement was signed by the Union’s President, Omoboriowo Damilola Isaac (Dr. Bush), Secretary General Babatimehin Kínfẹ́ọsi, and Public Relations Officer Aka Daniel E. (Senator), and addressed to several high-ranking officials and institutions, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, Osun State Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
