‘Our students are bleeding’ – OAU slams Osun govt over wave of robberies
The Students’ Representative Council, SRC, of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, has raised alarm over what it described as a “climate of fear and blood” engulfing the university community following a disturbing rise in armed robberies targeting students.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the student body called for urgent and decisive intervention from the Osun State Government and relevant security agencies to curb what it termed the “reign of terror” being unleashed on Great Ife students.
The council said the latest incident occurred late Monday night at Oreoluwa Hostel in Moremi Estate, where armed robbers attacked students, carting away phones, laptops, and other valuables. Some students reportedly sustained injuries during the attack.
“This is not an isolated occurrence. It is a continuation of a frightening trend that has persisted for far too long, while those charged with protecting lives and property look away in shameful silence,” the SRC stated.
The students accused the state government of negligence, questioning how the security votes allocated to the governor were being utilized.
“We are not unaware that millions of naira are released monthly as security votes to the Governor of Osun State, who doubles as the Chief Security Officer. Yet, the streets of Ile-Ife remain unsafe, and our students continue to bleed. If these funds are truly used for security, where is the evidence?” the statement queried.
The council urged Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, and the Divisional Police Officer of the Moore Division to act swiftly to restore safety within and around the campus.
“Our safety must not be treated as a privilege, it is our right,” the statement emphasized.
The SRC also appealed to the university administration to address the chronic accommodation shortage forcing thousands of students to live off-campus, where they are more vulnerable to criminal attacks.
“Safety cannot be guaranteed when students are left with no choice but to reside outside the university due to inadequate on-campus hostels,” it added.
While commiserating with the latest victims, the student leaders vowed to continue demanding accountability and protection until students can “live and learn in peace once again.”
“We demand action. We demand protection. We demand justice,” the council added.