Two thieves, one reportedly armed, broke into Obafemi Awolowo Hall at the University of Ibadan in the early hours of Saturday, robbing students of mobile phones and accessories.

Local sources confirmed that the intruders gained access between 4 am and 5 am, targeting at least two rooms on the ground floor of C Block, which houses returning students. The robbers first disabled security measures by removing corridor and bathroom light bulbs before forcing their way into the rooms.

A student resident, who asked not to be named, described the chaotic scene: “They didn’t get to my block, but I heard people saying one of them had a gun. What I know for sure is that they stole phones and accessories from some students. The school management and members of Abefele [the university security team] came here earlier. Our security men are not exactly agile, so it’s easy to imagine how the thieves got in.”

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Another student recounted how the thieves were spotted: “They were two men. They entered through the gate facing Awo Mount Zion. I don’t know how they left, but an Awoite screamed when she saw them, and that’s how people woke up and came out. I heard they stole six phones.”

In a statement released by hall management, officials confirmed the robbery, stating: “At about 4 am, two thieves broke into the hall and robbed some residents of Block C. The thieves were reportedly armed and mostly stole mobile phones. There was no record of physical assault on any of the victims.”

The statement added that investigations were underway in collaboration with Abefele and the police. Some students, however, noted that while the robbers did not appear visibly armed, they issued threats, warning female occupants that they would be hit if they did not cooperate.

Speaking with FIJ, Joke Akinpelu, the university’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident, saying, “I called the warden, and the warden said it really happened. It was a single person who had two of the ropes and had their phones, and one of the phones was being tracked.”

She added that discussions were ongoing with police authorities regarding the investigation.

This is not the first time Obafemi Awolowo Hall has been targeted. In 2019, armed robbers raided the hostel, shooting sporadically before stealing valuables, including phones and cash. At least two students were injured in that attack. The hall, popularly known as Awo Hall, is the closest hostel to The Polytechnic, Ibadan.

That same year, Abdulsalami Abubakar Hall — home to postgraduate students — was also attacked. Around 2 am, about 15 armed robbers invaded the female wing and stole valuables. Two male students were injured as the intruders attempted to flee after being spotted.

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Akinpelu also told FIJ that one suspect linked to the latest attack had been arrested by officers at the Sango Police Station.

Efforts to reach the Oyo State police spokesperson for additional details have so far been unsuccessful. His numbers were unreachable at press time.