Dare Babalola
The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) community is up in arms over the recent surge in robbery cases in Osun State, with the students’ authorities openly blaming the state government for its alleged failure to tackle the growing insecurity.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the institution 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.
The wave of robberies, which has left many students and residents of the university community shaken, has sparked widespread outrage, with the SRC calling for urgent and decisive intervention from the Osun State Government and relevant security agencies to curb the menace.
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 utilised.
“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.
