This is not the best of times for students of some of the tertiary institutions in Osun State who are living outside their campus as they have been battling endless insecurity challenges, especially armed robbery attacks and wanton loss of valuables.
Findings by The Point revealed that University and Polytechnic students in major towns in Osun such as Osogbo, Ilesa, Iree among others are on edge while their parents are extremely worried over their safety.
It was gathered that many of the students have been robbed, injured and traumatised by criminals who have repeatedly raided their hostels off-campus and escaped without trace.
In the last two weeks, some students of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, have been left stranded and frustrated after burglars invaded a nearby hostel where they were charging their phones and carted away five mobile devices.
The incident, which occurred recently at the Agege area of Iree, has further heightened concerns over the growing cases of burglary within the polytechnic community.
The victims, while narrating their ordeals, explained that they had left their phones in a hostel to charge because there was a working generating set there, but, unfortunately for them, some criminals invaded the hostel and made away with their mobile phones.
According to findings, burglary has become a recurring issue in Iree, with students frequently losing valuables such as money, phones, and laptops to criminals.
Residents of the polytechnic community have repeatedly called for improved security measures to curb the menace, but the criminal incidents had continued to persist, leaving students vulnerable to attacks and property loss.
Recently also, some students of University of Ilesa who live outside the campus and occupy some buildings as hostels in a popular neighborhood, Imola in Ibode, a town under Atakunmosa West Local Government Area of Osun State, were attacked by no fewer than 10 armed men who robbed them of over 30 mobile phones and other valuable items.
It was also gathered that the invaders broke into the hostels around 4a.m and injured some students who resisted them with cutlasses and axes.
Some of the victims said the robbers took advantage of the blackout in the hostel environment to operate smoothly without any hindrance.
It was gathered that the male attackers could have raped some female students but for the swift intervention of some security operatives after students raised the alarm.
When the victims of the robbery were yet to recover, another armed gang of robbers, the next day, around 9pm, stormed some other hostels outside the campus but they were reportedly repelled by some students who had prepared in self-defence.
Despite many efforts to repel the attacks by these students, a person suspected to be a president of one of the school hostels was macheted severely and he was hospitalised thereafter.
Meanwhile, in response to the growing security concerns affecting off-campus residences, the management of the University of Ilesa announced an immediate two-week break for students.
The decision, taken after approval of the Senate by the Vice Chancellor, Taiwo Asaolu, was aimed at easing tensions and allowing security agencies to stabilise the situation.
A statement by the university’s registrar, Funso Ojo noted that the institution promptly took the action following reports of a security breach involving off-campus students.
The statement further said the decision underscores the university’s commitment to ensuring students’ safety.
According to the statement, the security concerns came to a head after a reported breach in the early hours of the morning, prompting swift action from law enforcement.
“At approximately 3:00 a.m., the University Registrar alerted the Police Area Commander, who promptly deployed three Divisional Police Officers alongside armed personnel to secure the affected areas.
“Additionally, military personnel attached to the university intervened, resulting in the arrest of a suspected assailant.”
In a demonstration of the institution’s commitment to student welfare, the statement disclosed that the Vice Chancellor and university management visited injured students at the hospital, ensuring they received adequate medical attention.
“Further steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence, including a high-level stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for Monday. This meeting, convened by the Police Area Commander, will involve university management, security agencies, landlords, caretakers, and student representatives to develop comprehensive security measures,” it added.
Meanwhile, some parents have called on the state government to provide more hostel accommodations within their campus to guarantee the security of lives and belongings of students.
A parent, who simply identified himself as Otunba Salako, expressed worry over reports of attacks on off-campus hostels, calling for drastic actions by relevant authorities.
“Security of our children who stay off-campus should be a priority of school management and the state government. We only have universities and polytechnics admitting beyond quota and they are not doing anything to provide safe accommodations for these students. This is very sad and it is giving us parents concern. I think it is high time the state government and school authorities considered constructing more hostels for students within campuses and also ensure that strong security teams are deployed to communities where students reside,” he said.