*Police launch manhunt as students protest insecurity
By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos
A 100-level student of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, was shot dead by suspected armed robbers who invaded a student hostel in the early hours of Thursday, sparking protests by students and prompting the police to launch a manhunt for the perpetrators.
The victim was reportedly killed during an attack on a hostel located around the Bukky’s Court area, where the assailants allegedly carted away phones, laptops and other valuables belonging to students.
Confirming the incident, the Ogun State Police Command said investigations had commenced while efforts were underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said police operatives responded swiftly to the incident and assured that those behind the attack would be brought to justice.
“We commiserate with the family of the deceased and the university community. Investigations are ongoing to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Babaseyi stated.
The killing triggered a peaceful protest by students, who marched from Bukky’s Court to the Abobi Police Station and later to the palace of the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye to demand urgent action against rising insecurity in the university community.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, Salau Michael Olamide, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) described the incident as a tragic reminder of the worsening security situation in Ago-Iwoye.
“It is with profound grief that we announce the death of one of our own, a 100-level student whose life was cut short this morning by armed robbers who invaded a student hostel around Bukky’s Court area,” the statement read.
According to the union, the attackers robbed several houses during the operation, making away with students’ phones and laptops.
The SUG recalled a recent robbery attack in the CHIPS area where two students were shot and others injured, warning that students could no longer continue to live in fear.
“Students cannot keep living in fear. We did not come to this university to trade our lives for a degree. We came to learn,” the union stated.
The union also expressed concern that students preparing for examinations scheduled to commence on Monday were being forced to study under an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
Following the protest, an emergency security meeting was convened at the palace of the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye.
According to the SUG, the meeting was attended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Dean of Student Affairs, Divisional Police Officers in Ago-Iwoye, the university’s Chief Security Officer, the Registrar, members of the royal cabinet and leaders of the Students’ Union Government.
The students later proceeded to the university’s Senate Building, where they presented demands including the immediate arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators, sustained security patrols around student hostels and surrounding communities, the establishment of a joint security framework involving the university, police and traditional authorities, and a clear security action plan before examinations begin.
Meanwhile, the university management declared Thursday a lecture-free day to enable students mourn their slain colleague.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Registrar, Corporate Affairs Division, Mr Niyi Oduwole, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, said the decision was approved by the university Senate.
Agboola sympathised with the family of the deceased and the university community, assuring students that the institution was collaborating with relevant security agencies to strengthen security and safeguard lives and property.
He urged students to remain calm and avoid actions capable of escalating tensions, assuring them of the university’s support during the period of mourning.