Ogun Varsity Students Protest Serial Rape, Insecurity in Hostels

Students of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, have taken to the streets to protest the rising case of insecurity ravaging the student communities in the early hours of Thursday.

PUNCH Metro reported that some suspected burglars went to a hostel, carted away valuables, transferred money from the occupants’ bank accounts, and allegedly raped four students on Tuesday.

This caused pandemonium in the students’ community, and the government promised to apprehend the culprits.

The students’ union led the ‘walk against insecurity and rape’ to lend their voices against the security situation, create awareness about the dangers of rape, and show solidarity with the victims of the unfortunate event.

During the peaceful walk, students bore placards with inscriptions such as ‘Ijagun needs security,’ ‘Students’ lives matter,’ ‘Don’t molest girls,’ ‘Say No To Rape,’ ‘Please save us from rapists,’ and ‘Stop gender violence,’ among others.

The security situation had subjected the students to fear as they now have to sleep and walk in groups to forestall any attack.

The students’ union President, Akinjetan Emmanuel, said the stand of the leadership of the Union was to have a secure students’ community, adding “We want security personnel deployed to the university community, and we also plead for the resuscitation of the deserted police station at Abapawa for the purpose of safety.”

He stated: “Hopefully, the deputy governor helps us achieve everything tabled to her on Tuesday at the meeting.”

A student, Tofunmi Oranaiye, appealed to the Ogun State government to provide adequate security for the school community.

“The robbery and rape operation is not happening to students for the first time, and the similar incident that happened before this at Imaweje community died down; we haven’t heard any progress on the case.

“We are no longer safe; even in my hostel, we are always vigilant. The nearest police station is at Igbeba, which is far from the school. There can’t be an emergency; you expect the cops to arrest the situation in a few minutes.

“The Government really needs to look into this. I am paying house rent, and I can’t even read in peace”, she said.

Another student, Olarenwaju Daniel, said the higher authorities should enhance security measures to strengthen security protocols on and off campus.

“They should work closely with local security men and this may include increased patrol presence, improved surveillance systems, and stricter access control measures.”

A student who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “Cultism leads to various menaces in our environment. The state government should deploy men of the Nigeria Police Force and other necessary security agencies to our institutions in Ogun State.”