Academic Activities Disrupted As JABU Students Protest Against Security Challenges

The protest by the students of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State, has disrupted the academic activities of the institution.

A source on campus had claimed that the students of the institution expressed their displeasure over the incessant invasion of the female hostels by marauders, suspected to be guards employed by the school management.

The source further revealed that the protest which started peacefully, turned violent when the Registrar of the institution, Wale Aderibigbe, allegedly addressed the students in an abusive manner.

A report had it that many of the school’s properties were destroyed during the protest.

One of the students who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated that some suspected local security guards always invaded the female hostels to molest the students.

“The students suspected that those responsible for the act are the security men employed from a neighbouring community, Owena. They usually steal the girls’ phones, food items, money and other valuables.”

“This was happening occasionally before, but it has become a regular occurrence in the last three weeks. Yesterday (Sunday, they came again and nobody has ever been arrested. We lodged complaints with the school management but it did nothing about it.”

A female student identified as Ade stated that the registrar fueled the protest to turn violent due to his approach of address.

She stated that he threatened to shut down the school if they did not stop the protest.

“The registrar made the matter worse when he told the students that he would shut down the school instead of appealing to them. He said none of them paid more than N500,000 per session.”

“He even invited the police to arrest us on our campus for fighting for our right. All these infuriated the students and they became violent.”

A worker in the office of the registrar who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated that was not permitted to speak on the matter but revealed that the management was on the matter.

“As I am speaking with you, the management staff members are in a meeting to resolve the issue,” he stated.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Osun State, Folasade Odoro, while speaking on the incident stated that the matter had not been reported to the command.

“We have not been informed. But as soon as I have any information as regards that, I will get back to you,” Odoro said.