OOU final-year student shot dead during robbery attack

A final-year student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago-Iwoye, simply identified as Timi, has been shot dead during an armed robbery attack on Thursday.

DAILY POST learnt that the robbers stormed the Konigba area, a section inhabited by students, and operated for several hours without any intervention.

Reports indicate that about seven houses were targeted during the attack, including that of the deceased.

Witnesses reported that the robbers forcibly entered the houses by breaking doors and gaining access through the roofs. They carted away phones, laptops, money, gas cylinders, and other valuables.

The students, however, took to the streets in protest, demanding accountability from the authorities following the tragic killing of the student.

They marched to the palace of the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdulrazaq Adenugba, the Ago Police Station, and the university campus, singing solidarity songs and carrying placards with various inscriptions such as: “Ago-Iwoye is not safe, we need our safety,” “Our voice must be heard,” “Say no to insecurity,” and “We are here to learn, not to be robbed.”

Reacting to the incident, the school management, in an official statement released by the institution’s Deputy Registrar and Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Niyi Oduwole, declared Thursday a lecture-free day following the tragic incident.

According to the statement, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ayodeji Agboola, directed the suspension of all academic activities for the day to enable students mourn their colleague whose life was cut short in the attack.

While sympathising with and extending its condolences to the bereaved family, the school management assured students that the institution would collaborate with security agencies to strengthen surveillance and improve safety within the university environment and surrounding communities.

The management urged all students to remain peaceful and avoid actions capable of worsening the situation, assuring them that measures are being put in place to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy.

When contacted, the police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said an investigation was ongoing and that a manhunt had been launched for the assailants.

The command, however, commiserated with the family of the deceased, the institution, and the entire student community.

Babaseyi said: “The Ogun State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the tragic death of an Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) student who was shot by suspected armed robbers in Ago-Iwoye. Police operatives responded promptly and have launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.

“Investigation is ongoing, while the command commiserates with the family and the OOU community and prays that the deceased’s soul rests in perfect peace.”