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The Union Students of the University of Ibadan has urged the governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde to consider the issue of insecurity as a top priority as failure to address the issues might lead to mass mobilisation of students.
This was contained in an opened letter titled “Address Insecurity now, our students are dying” issued and signed on Friday by the Union president Adewole Yinka Mascot.
He said the Makinde-led administration are not doing enough on the security of lives and properties of the students.
According to the letter, “Students of the University of Ibadan (UI) living at hostels off the campus cum residents of areas adjoining the university are living in fear due to the incessant robbery and cult attacks.”
“Some students and other residents have been attacked and injured during the repeated robbery operations around the university environs.”
“Many students lamented how armed gangs were capitalising on the lack of security to rob them of their valuables including mobile phones, laptops and other gadgets.”
It was gathered that the suspected criminals, armed with sophisticated weapons, in past weeks have invaded off-campus hostels at Agbowo community, Barika, and other residential areas close to the university around Ibadan North LGA.
Some of the traumatised students, who were victims of these attacks, told our correspondent that they have been forced to flee the area because it is fast becoming a den of thieves.
Weeks ago, the armed gangs stormed a private hostel in Agbowo area.
They reportedly scaled the fence and landed in the hostel, broke doors to gain entry and shot sporadically to scare the students.
The union requested that an emergency meeting be called with all security agencies present to chart the way forward on the current situation.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State Command, Adewale Osifeso for comments proved abortive.