Two OAU students injured as armed robbers attack hostels

Armed Robbery at OAU Hostels Leaves Two Students Injured

In a harrowing incident that has reignited concerns over student safety, two students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, sustained injuries following a violent armed robbery at off-campus hostels.

The attack occurred late on Monday night, October 20, 2025, at Moremi Estate, a residential area popular among students.

According to eyewitness accounts, the assailantsarmed with cutlasses and a firearm, stormed the hostels around 10:49 p.m., breaking windows and forcibly entering rooms. They made away with valuable items including mobile phones, MacBook laptops, and cash. One student who resisted handing over his phone was slashed with a cutlass, resulting in serious injuries. Another student was also hurt during the chaos.

The robbers extended their rampage to Peace Hostel, another student residence within the vicinity, where they repeated their violent tactics. Students attempted to mobilize and chase the attackers, but were forced to retreat when the robbers fired shots into the air, dispersing the crowd.

Daniel, a student witness, recounted the ordeal in a phone interview, emphasizing the trauma and fear that gripped the community. He noted that this was not the first time such an attack had occurred, and expressed frustration over the recurring insecurity.

The OAU Students’ Union Government (SUG) responded swiftly, arriving at the scene before law enforcement and transporting the injured students to the University Health Centre for emergency treatment.

In a statement released the following day, the Union condemned the attack and highlighted a disturbing pattern of violence targeting students living off-campus.

The statement, signed by Union President David Adelani, Public Relations Officer Oreoluwa Olowosile, and Secretary-General Habeeb Isa, also referenced other recent incidents. It revealed that Dorcas Oseghale, a student, had been missing for over two months with no progress in her case.

Additionally, another student narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt just days earlier, managing to flee during a transfer between vehicles.

These events have intensified fears among the student body and underscored the vulnerability of students residing outside the university’s secured premises. The Union called for urgent intervention from security agencies and university authorities to safeguard students and prevent future tragedies.

A patrol team from the police arrived after the incident to monitor the area, but many students remain shaken and skeptical about the effectiveness of current security measures.

The community continues to grapple with the emotional and physical toll of the attack, as calls for justice and protection grow louder.