The Students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has issued a distress call over a sharp increase in violent robberies targeting students living off-campus.
In a press statement released on Wednesday, the Union revealed that security around student-populated areas in Ile-Ife has worsened significantly in recent weeks.
More than 30 robbery incidents involving students were recorded within a two-week period.
“Each case represents a student who has been traumatized, assaulted, extorted, and left vulnerable.
Phones have been stolen, funds wiped from bank accounts, hostels broken into during the night, and some students seriously injured,” the Union said.
One particularly severe incident involved a student who was attacked with a machete to the head during a robbery at his hostel. The student remains in critical condition and is receiving hospital care.
The Union added that just hours before issuing the statement, four additional robberies occurred across three different locations in the town.
Among the victims, one student lost a phone, another had his car stolen, and his bank account emptied.
Signed by Secretary General Babatimehin Kinfeosi and President Omoboriowo Isaac, the statement described students as living in constant fear for their safety, even in their own homes.
Despite repeated reports to the police, the Union criticized the authorities for inadequate responses.
“We have visited nearby police stations and the Osun State Criminal Investigation Department, but there has been no meaningful improvement,” the statement said.
The Union called on the Federal and Osun State Governments, local authorities, and the university to take swift, decisive action.
Their demands include providing patrol vehicles for police and Amotekun operatives, increasing police presence in student areas, urgent government intervention on on-campus housing shortages, and stronger university involvement in off-campus student security.
“The OAU management must engage with relevant authorities to enhance security for students and consider stricter safety measures for student hostels outside campus,” the Union urged.
They also warned of potential protests if the situation remains unaddressed.
“If our demands are ignored, we will escalate our actions, including mass demonstrations and peaceful protests. Students come here to study, not to be hunted.
We demand safety and justice,” the statement concluded.
The Union sent copies of the release to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, and the Ooni of Ife.
In response, the university clarified that it is not responsible for security outside its campus. OAU Public Relations Officer Abiodun Olanrewaju stated, “We are not aware of any robberies on campus.
Security outside campus, where many students reside alongside local residents, is the responsibility of the police, not the university.”
He appealed to security agencies to increase patrols in areas where students live. Attempts to contact Osun Police Spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi were unsuccessful.