In what has become a regular occurrence at the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun Ijebu-Ode stakeholders in the education industry have condemned the unconcerned attitude of the Ogun State government and the Management of the university over incessant invasion of students hostels by armed robbers.
For the second time in three months, dare devil-armed robbers again, in the early hours of Monday, attacked students’ apartments at Tai Solarin University of Education in Ijagun.
According to reports, during the invasion the suspects raped two female students in their first year.
The assailants, armed with guns, arrived around 12:30 am, forcing the students to surrender their phones and other valuables.
They then led the two female students to an uncompleted building where they took turns assaulting them.
Police spokesperson Omolola Odutola confirmed the incident, stating it was reported at the Igbeba Police Division around 10 am on Monday.
She assured that efforts are underway to apprehend the culprits. “Our operatives immediately combed the area in search of the suspects. Efforts are in top gear to arrest everyone involved in the crime,” Odutola said.
The survivors have been taken to the school clinic for treatment.
Residents, Parents Berate OGSG, TASUED Management
Worried by the increasing wave of crime on the student communities in the state, concerned parents ,students and residents of the state have expressed disappointment at the unconcerned attitude of the state government to the trauma students of the university are subjected to regularly.
A concerned parent, who preferred anonymity, condemned the porous security situation around the university, saying the management of the institution has failed to demonstrate care for the safety of students.
“I wonder what the security apparatuses of the University are doing to protect students. Within and outside the university campus, students are not safe.
“If institutions of learning exist because students are enrolled at such institutions, what then is the responsibility of the staff and management of the university? No student, no institution.
“If the government cannot guarantee the safety of students, they should think otherwise.”
Another respondent, a 200-level student of PES studies said going for lectures, returning home and going to bed has become dreadful due to increasing waves of insecurity within and outside the university.
“Our hearts are always out every day we travel in shuttle buses from Lagos garage to school without police presence along the Ijebu-Ode – Benin Expressway for fear of the bus being highjacked by kidnappers that have been terrorising Sagamu and its axis.
“I am always prayerful anytime I set out for school. I get scared every day. I get frightened at such developments. I am appealing to all concerned authorities to come to our aid. Learning environments should be devoid of fear of molestation, intimidation and apprehension over the likelihood of an attack.
They appealed to the management of the university to review the security architecture of the institution and ensure regular patrol within the institution’s environment and surveillance of the roads leading to the university.