Suspected armed robbers have struck the Ipara-Remo and Ode-Remo communities, both home to students from Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade.
The assailants, who reportedly invaded the areas around 1am On Sunday, left a trail of chaos, with students shot, female students allegedly sexually molested, and property stolen.
Sources reveal that these attacks are not isolated incidents, with a prior robbery occurring two Fridays ago, resulting in injuries to some students and fear of one fatality. The recent onslaught, however, marked a peak in the violence, leaving Francis Dwumfour critically injured.
Students, displaying injuries sustained during the attacks, shared harrowing experiences. They disclosed that such robberies had become increasingly common, reaching a critical point during the last Sunday attack.
The Students Union President, Olatunji Alexander, criticized the police response, claiming a ‘Save our souls’ call during the attack was ignored.
Blaming the absence of hostel facilities at Gateway Polytechnic, Olusola Ezekiel, Director of Polytechnic Affairs of the National Association of Nigerian Students, South-West zone, emphasized the vulnerability of students living off-campus.
He urged both the institution and local communities to address the rising insecurity.
An anonymous member of the polytechnic management acknowledged awareness of the attacks and assured efforts were underway to enhance security. The plea for state government intervention in resolving the security crisis was also emphasized.
Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incidents, clarifying that the injured student had been discharged and dismissing rumors of a fatality. The police urged students to report incidents formally and avoid taking matters into their own hands.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of these attacks, the polytechnic management appealed to the state government for support in addressing the escalating security challenges, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to ensure the safety of students.
