Students at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, have written a letter to Seyi Makinde, the governor of the state, demanding an end to the frequent attacks and accidents claiming the lives of students.

In an open letter signed by Yinka Adewole, the student union president, and transmitted to the governor on Thursday, the students complained about ‘’various security threats, ranging from robbery to cult attacks’’ in the communities like Agbowo, around the university.

The letter reads in part, “We want to inform Mr. Governor that a number of our students have been victims of these attacks which have resulted in significant injuries and, in some cases, death”. 

The union also said the governor was aware of the security concerns within the school’s neighbouring communities but ignored their pleas for intervention.

“If you don’t solve these issues, we will have no choice but to mobilise the bodies of Nigerian student associations to oppose, while protesting against your ineffectiveness in those areas of concern,” the letter reads.

Speaking with FIJ over their stand, Olalekan Michael, public relations officer of the union, said the height of insecurity was alarming.

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“Just last week, some of our students were robbed on the Agbowo axis, and one of them sustained a gunshot injury. Sometimes last year too, we recorded the death of two students in one day, one from a road accident and the other from a robbery attack,” he said.

“Most of our students reside off-campus and they continue to experience calamities of road accidents due to the traffic congestion in front of the school or daylight robbery in the environs.

“Ironically, the university campus itself is safe but not all of us can be accommodated on campus. We do not have any personal issues with the governor, but we believe he is the chief security officer, and he must be able to prevail over the security challenges of the city where our school is situated.”

Students demand speed limits on roads adjacent to the university door to prevent motorists from overspeed.

Following the letter, FIJ learned that the governor sent some delegates to meet with the union members and the school’s security chief over the students’ plight.