Follow Us on Google
From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
Suspected gunmen numbering five have reportedly raped four female students of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State.
Disturbed by the unfortunate incident, the students of the institution staged a peaceful demonstration to express their displeasure over the incident.
The students also complained of incessant robberies in their hostels, threats to their lives and properties and rape of the students by hoodlums suspected to be coming from their neighbourhood.
During the peaceful protest that lasted for hours, the students blocked the Okitipupa-Igbokoda road, disrupting free-flow of traffic on the popular road.
The president, Students Union Government of the institution, Damilola Okunomo, confirmed the incident, saying cases of rape were rampart in the institution.
He said the hoodlums rob students of their phones, laptops, gadgets and rape female students at gunpoint.
Mr Okunomo added that four female students were raped two weeks ago, alleging that the institution’s management was not doing enough on the security of lives and property of students.
“We are tired of this insecurity; armed hoodlums usually come to our off-campus hostels, to rob students at gunpoint, and also rape our female students.
“The school management is not doing enough as we are the ones securing ourselves by working as vigilantes most times; the situation is terrible.
“We urge the school management to do its best in securing us and complete all the uncompleted hostels in our campus as this will also guarantee our security,” Okunomo said.
Reacting, the Dean, Students Affairs of the university, Mr Ilemobayo Oguntimehin said the school’s management was doing its best to secure the lives and properties of the students.
Meanwhile, the authorities of the university have declared a two-week mid-semester break due to the high level of insecurity in the institution.
