By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
The Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Professor Adebayo Bamire, along with the University’s management, has strongly condemned the recent armed robbery attack on students residing off-campus.
According to the university authorities, the hoodlums not only dispossessed the students of their valuables but also inflicted physical injuries during the violent attack.
In a statement released by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, the management described the incident— which occurred on the night of Monday, October 20, 2025— as distressing and unacceptable. The attack took place at Oreoluwa Hostel, located within the Moremi Estate area of Ile-Ife.
The university commended the swift intervention of Students’ Union officials who promptly evacuated the injured victims to the University Health and Medical Centre for urgent medical attention.
Three students were identified and treated for varying degrees of injuries:
The injured students include Ogedengbe Oluwafemi, a 400-level student of the Department of Management and Accounting (Matric No: MAC/2021/235);
Emmanuel Akinribiye, also a 400-level student of the same department (Matric No: MAC/2021/110); and
Olalekan Okemiga, a final-year student of the Department of Mathematics (Matric No: MTH/2019/027), who, despite being struck with a machete, fortunately sustained no visible injuries
The violent robbery reportedly occurred between 10:35 p.m and 11:30 p.m.
While appreciating the prompt response of officers from the Nigerian Police Force—particularly those from ‘A’ Division, Ile-Ife, and Oke-Otubu Division, Modakeke—Professor Bamire urged security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), to intensify surveillance and routine patrols around student-populated areas.
“We must ensure our students do not live in fear while going to or returning from lectures,” the Vice-Chancellor stated.
Professor Bamire also appealed to education stakeholders, philanthropists, and well-meaning Nigerians to support the university by building more hostels on campus.
He stressed that improved on-campus accommodation would enhance student safety, monitoring, and overall welfare.
He concluded by wishing the injured students a speedy recovery and expressed gratitude to God for sparing their lives