Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, has refuted claims that one of its students, Oladipupo Siwajuola, went missing on campus, stating that he left the premises without authorization.
The institution also warned it may pursue legal action over what it described as defamatory and misleading statements by the student’s mother, Mrs. Fijabi Omotayo.
In a statement released on Monday by the Director of Communication and Public Relations, Dr. Joshua Suleiman, the university expressed concern over viral social media posts accusing it of negligence.
The management said the student’s unauthorized departure and the subsequent public accusations had unjustly damaged its reputation.
According to the university, Oladipupo, a student of the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) programme, exited the campus without following proper procedures or securing clearance.
The school cited unverified reports that he was later found in Akute, Ogun State, where he had attended secondary school.
The university also claimed that roommates had earlier flagged his “suspicious behaviour,” citing the use of black soap and a local sponge, which they found disturbing.
Mrs. Fijabi reportedly explained that these items were part of a treatment for her son’s skin condition, involving herbal remedies such as lemon, turmeric, and neem leaves.
However, Babcock stated that her explanation did not sit well with fellow students, who viewed the items as potentially fetish, in violation of campus policy.
It also alleged that the student’s mother discouraged his roommates from reporting his absence and said there was WhatsApp chat evidence to support this.
The institution has referred the matter to the police and stated that disciplinary proceedings would be conducted, giving all parties a fair hearing.
It emphasized that any continued attempt to misrepresent the school would be met with legal consequences.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Fijabi, in a tearful Facebook live broadcast on Saturday, claimed her son had been missing since April 27 and appealed for help from the public.
She later confirmed that he had been found, but did not provide further details.