Ogun Students Block Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway After Colleague Killed in Robbery Attack
Ogun Students Block Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway After Colleague Killed in Robbery Attack
Students of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, Ogun State, on Tuesday staged a massive protest, blocking the busy Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway following the killing of one of their colleagues during a suspected armed robbery attack. The demonstration brought traffic to a standstill as the aggrieved students demanded urgent government intervention to address the worsening insecurity around their off-campus community.
The deceased, a female Higher National Diploma (HND) II Marketing student, was reportedly shot dead when suspected robbers invaded several houses in the Eruku community, where many students reside. Three other students sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attack, including one who suffered a gunshot wound and is currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta.
Speaking during the protest, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Blessing Owoigbe, lamented the repeated attacks on students living in the area, noting that previous appeals to relevant authorities for enhanced security had not yielded meaningful results. She urged the Ogun State Government and security agencies to deploy adequate security personnel and implement lasting measures to protect students and residents.
The Rector of the institution, Dr. Goke Rafiu, confirmed the tragic incident, revealing that the armed attackers invaded about 15 houses in the Eruku community during the midnight operation. He disclosed that the institution’s management had visited the affected community alongside police authorities and members of the Governing Council to assess the situation and discuss immediate security interventions.
In response to the incident, the polytechnic postponed examinations scheduled for July 28 and 29, allowing students time to mourn their late colleague and recover from the traumatic experience. The management announced that examinations would resume on July 30, while a new timetable for the postponed papers would be released in due course.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) condemned the killing, describing it as another disturbing reminder of the growing insecurity confronting students across the country. The association called for a comprehensive investigation, the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible, and stronger security measures around tertiary institutions to prevent future attacks.
