Students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ibogun campus, in Ogun State, staged a protest on Saturday over a surge in armed robbery attacks targeting their hostels, escalating concerns about safety within the university community.
The demonstration was triggered by a recent midnight attack on student accommodations, during which armed robbers reportedly injured two students and made away with valuables, including cash, mobile phones, laptops, and a Lexus vehicle. The incident has intensified anxiety among residents, particularly students living off-campus.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Give Us Security”, the protesting students, predominantly from the Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Studies, marched through major streets in Ibogun, demanding urgent intervention from security agencies to safeguard lives and property.
Eyewitness accounts, however, indicate that the peaceful protest took a violent turn when suspected thugs reportedly attacked the students.
Armed with cutlasses, bottles, and other dangerous weapons, the assailants disrupted the demonstration, leaving several students injured.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the earlier robbery incident and described the protest as a direct response to persistent security breaches in the area.
According to the source, the attackers struck at midnight, injuring two students before fleeing with valuable belongings, including electronic devices and a car.
The resident further noted that the students had intended to peacefully draw attention to their plight but were instead met with violence during the demonstration.
“It is deeply troubling that students who came out to demand protection were themselves attacked. This reflects the level of insecurity currently facing the community,” the source said.
Reacting to the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the incidents and disclosed that investigations were underway.
Babaseyi stated that the Divisional Police Officer of the Ibogun Police Division, along with the Area Commander, had been deployed to the scene to assess the situation and restore order.
He assured residents that the police had initiated measures to address the security concerns raised by the students.
While calling for calm, the police spokesperson emphasised that decisive steps were being taken to improve safety in the area amid growing calls for a stronger security presence around student hostels.
The incident underscores persistent security challenges in university communities, particularly in off-campus residential areas, and raises urgent questions about the adequacy of protection for students in Ogun State.
