The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has committed to deploying additional police personnel immediately to the Ife Area Command to bolster security presence in student-populated areas, increasing patrols in vulnerable zones, and has also instructed his Special Adviser on Security Matters to compile detailed reports on all past security issues affecting students and initiate immediate interventions to address them.
This was made known in a press release issued by the Great Ife Students’ Union on Thursday, 30 October. The release aimed to provide an update on the progress of the earlier request made by the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) to the Governor, urging action against the constant robbery and harm to students and their property in Ile-Ife. In the release, the Students’ Union reminded students of their ongoing and unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of all students.
READ ALSO: SRC Condemns Incessant Robberies in Ife, Calls for Action
On Tuesday, 29 October, upon learning of the Osun State Governor’s visit to Ile-Ife for an inspection of the Lagere flyover and a courtesy call on the Ooni of Ife, members of the Union mobilised in a peaceful protest to draw attention to the insecurity plaguing the off-campus communities. Their demonstration highlighted the critical threats to student lives, including recent cases of armed robberies, kidnappings, and inadequate police response.
According to the release, recognising the determination and legitimacy of their concerns, the Governor alighted from his convoy to address the protesting students directly. In a show of responsiveness, he made the following commitments: deployment of additional police personnel to the Ife Area Command to bolster security presence in student-populated areas; increased patrols in vulnerable zones, meaning that regular and intensified patrols will be implemented in insecurity-prone locations around Ile-Ife to deter criminal activities and ensure rapid response to incidents; and comprehensive reporting and intervention. The Governor instructed his Special Adviser on Security Matters to compile detailed reports on all past security issues affecting students and initiate immediate interventions to address them.
According to the Students’ Union, these assurances represent a significant step forward in their advocacy efforts, demonstrating the power of collective student action. They commended the tenacity of all Great Ife students who participated in the protest, as their voices were instrumental in prompting this direct engagement from the state leadership.
The statement partly reads, “The Students’ Union will continue to monitor the implementation of these promises closely. We urge the Osun State Government not to back down on these commitments, as the safety of our students cannot be compromised. In the meantime, we advise all students to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities to the relevant authorities, and prioritise personal safety measures such as travelling in groups and avoiding isolated areas at night.”
The release concluded with the Students’ Union assuring students that if these commitments are not realised promptly, the Union is prepared to escalate its actions. It stated, “We will not rest until tangible improvements are seen in the security landscape of Ile-Ife and the student communities.”