The Students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has raised a distress call over what it describes as a terrifying surge in violent robberies targeting students off-campus.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, the Union said the security situation around student-populated areas in Ile-Ife has deteriorated rapidly over the past few weeks, with over 30 robbery cases recorded in just two weeks, all involving students.
“Behind every case is a student who has been traumatized, brutalized, extorted, and left helpless. Phones are being stolen. Monies are being wiped from students’ bank accounts. Hostels are being broken into in the dead of night. And, even worse, students are being severely injured,” the union stated.
A particularly brutal case involved a student who was macheted on the head during a robbery attack at his hostel.
According to the union, the student is currently in critical condition and receiving treatment in a hospital.
The union also stated that only hours before the statement was released, four more robberies were reported in three separate locations across the town.
“One student lost her phone. Another had his car stolen, and all the money in his account transferred, leaving him with nothing,” the Union said.
