OOU Students Protest Rising Insecurity After Robbery Attack Claims Undergraduate’s Life

By Latifat Shittu and Fathia Adejobi

Students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) staged a protest on Thursday, June 18, 2026, over rising insecurity in Ago-Iwoye following a robbery attack that claimed the life of an undergraduate student. Who was identified as Lawanson Abiodun Anthony, a 100 level student from Social Studies Education in Department of Arts and Social Sciences Education. 

 The protest, led by Students’ Union Government (SUG) President Senator Fele, began at the Abobi Police Station, where police officers addressed the students and assured them that investigations were ongoing and that those responsible would be apprehended.

Dissatisfied with the response, the students proceeded to the palace of the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, where a closed-door meeting was held between the monarch, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Abobi Police Station, and Senator Fele.

While the meeting was in progress, students marched to the university gate, restricting movement in and out of the campus. The protesters later moved to the Senate Building, where the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, addressed concerns about insecurity affecting students residing off campus.

Speaking after the meeting at the palace, Senator Fele briefed students on the resolutions reached.

“The king has agreed to work with the police and mobilize indigenes to combat armed robbery, theft, and other forms of crime in Ago-Iwoye,” he said. “The DPO has also indicated that additional police personnel will be deployed to strengthen security in the community.”

Witnesses provided differing accounts of when the robbery attack began. One victim estimated that the incident started around 9:00 p.m., while a resident of the area said the attackers arrived sometime after 11:00 p.m.

According to the victim, at least four houses were affected during the attack, with the assailants forcing their way into homes by breaking down doors.

Residents said similar incidents had occurred repeatedly in the area, with criminals targeting homes and stealing valuables, including generators and other household items. Students also described the latest attack as part of a broader pattern of insecurity in student-populated areas of Ago-Iwoye, which they said had generated concerns for several years.

Addressing the students, Prof. Agboola stated that the university was exploring measures to increase hostel accommodation on campus. According to him, expanding on-campus housing would reduce the number of students living off campus, where security falls largely under the jurisdiction of external authorities. He also implore student to move with their I.D card at all times, to verify studentship at all time, most especially during this period  

The protest ended after assurances from the police, traditional authorities, and university management that efforts would be intensified to improve security in Ago-Iwoye and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.

While students welcomed the commitments made by the various stakeholders, many said the effectiveness of the measures would ultimately be determined by visible improvements in security and progress in the investigation.