OAU Condemns Armed Robbery Attacks on Students, Calls for Stronger Security in Ile-Ife
OAU Condemns Armed Robbery Attacks on Students, Calls for Stronger Security in Ile-Ife
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has expressed deep outrage over the recent armed robbery attack that left some students injured and traumatised within the university’s host community. The institution described the incident as “disturbing, unacceptable, and an attack on the very core of academic safety and peace” — sentiments strongly echoed by many concerned Nigerians.
University Confirms Attack on Students
According to a statement obtained by Akahi News from the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Abiodun Olarewaju, the unfortunate incident occurred late Monday night, 20th October 2025, when a group of armed men stormed Oreoluwa Hostel in the Moremi Estate area of Ile-Ife. The robbers reportedly dispossessed students of their valuables and injured several others before escaping under the cover of darkness.
Olarewaju confirmed that three students sustained varying degrees of machete wounds and were rushed to the University Health and Medical Centre, thanks to the swift response of the Students’ Union officials. The affected students were identified as:
- Ogedengbe Emmanuel Oluwafemi, a Part Four student of the Department of Management and Accounting.
- Emmanuel Akinribiye, also a Part Four student of the same department.
- Olalekan David Okemiga, a final-year student of the Department of Mathematics.
While Okemiga was reportedly beaten with a machete, he was lucky to have escaped without deep cuts.
VC Condemns Attack, Commends Police and Students’ Union
Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, in his reaction, condemned the attack and extended his sympathy to the victims. He also commended the immediate intervention of officers from the Nigerian Police Force — particularly those from A Division, Ile-Ife, and Oke-Otubu Division, Modakeke — who responded swiftly to distress calls.
The VC, while speaking through the university’s PRO, called on security agencies, especially the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to intensify patrols around off-campus hostels and student-populated areas. According to Akahi News, the call reflects growing concern among students over recurring security lapses in Ile-Ife, especially around hostels located off the main campus.
Bamire also appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, philanthropists, and alumni of the university to support the construction of more on-campus hostels, noting that “housing students within the university’s perimeter will greatly enhance safety and monitoring.”
Police Launch Manhunt for the Robbers
The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the incident and revealed that efforts are ongoing to track down the culprits. Command spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, stated that detectives have been deployed to comb the area and gather intelligence that could lead to the arrest of the armed gang.
A police source who spoke to Akahi News under anonymity disclosed that the assailants might have exploited the poor lighting and security gaps in the estate area. The source added that patrol operations around the university axis have now been reinforced to prevent a recurrence.
Akahi News Insights: Rising Insecurity Around University Campuses
Findings by Akahi News indicate that the OAU robbery incident is not an isolated case. Similar attacks have been reported in recent months around major university towns across Nigeria, from Nsukka to Akure, raising alarms about the vulnerability of students living off-campus.
Experts who spoke with Akahi News suggest that the country’s worsening economic situation, coupled with high youth unemployment, has fuelled a surge in petty crimes and violent robberies around student communities. Many of these areas, though densely populated, are poorly lit, lack consistent security patrols, and have no surveillance systems.
A student leader from the Faculty of Technology told Akahi News that several students now sleep in fear, especially in private hostels where landlords fail to provide adequate security. “We have written several letters to the police and the university management, but it seems the problem persists. We just hope the government will take this seriously before something worse happens,” he lamented.
Stakeholders Call for Immediate Intervention
Beyond condemnation, stakeholders have called for actionable steps. Parents, student unions, and security analysts interviewed by Akahi News emphasised that the safety of students must not be compromised under any circumstance. Some urged the institution to collaborate more closely with community leaders and local vigilantes to strengthen neighbourhood watch systems.
Security consultant, Mr. Adedayo Akintola, told Akahi News that while OAU’s campus security architecture is robust, the same cannot be said for the host communities surrounding the university. “There must be a coordinated approach — the police, university, landlords, and students must work together to identify threats early,” he said.
A Growing Call for On-Campus Housing
Many believe that the core solution lies in the expansion of university-owned accommodations. The Vice Chancellor’s call for additional hostels aligns with the position of many parents who spoke to Akahi News, urging the Federal Government and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to prioritise student housing projects in federal universities.
In their view, building more secure hostels on campus will not only reduce exposure to external threats but also foster a stronger sense of community among students.
As investigations continue, Akahi News notes that the attack at Oreoluwa Hostel has once again highlighted the urgent need for improved campus security and infrastructural development across Nigerian universities. The safety of students — the nation’s future leaders — must be treated as a top national priority, not an afterthought.
The OAU management’s quick response, the students’ resilience, and the police’s ongoing efforts are commendable, but more lasting measures must be implemented to prevent such tragedies. Akahi News will continue to monitor developments as authorities intensify the manhunt for the robbers and as the affected students recover from their injuries.
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