Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
AGO-IWOYE, Nigeria – Hundreds of students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ogun State, took to the streets on Thursday, June 18, 2026, to protest the killing of a final-year student during a brazen armed robbery attack in the university’s host community, an incident that has reignited long‑standing fears over the safety of students living off‑campus.
The victim, identified as Timi by some media reports and as Lawanson Abiodun by Punch, was a 100‑level student of the Department of Arts and Social Science Education. He was fatally shot in the early hours of Thursday when suspected robbers stormed the Konigba area, a section of Ago‑Iwoye predominantly inhabited by students. Reports indicate that the robbers operated for several hours without intervention, targeting about seven houses in the vicinity, including the deceased’s residence. They gained access by breaking doors and entering through roofs, carting away phones, laptops, money, gas cylinders, and other valuables. The robbers struck at about midnight in the Omo Jay axis, with some students reportedly stepping out to check the disturbance before the shooting.
Outraged by the killing and the recurring insecurity in the university town, students mobilised swiftly, halting shuttle services and marching to the palace of the Ebumawe of Ago‑Iwoye, Oba Abdulrazaq Adenugba, the Ago Police Station, and the university campus. Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Ago-Iwoye is not safe, we need our safety” and “Say no to insecurity,” the protesters demanded urgent action from authorities to address the worsening security situation. A student, who recounted the incident on X, described the terror of the night, stating: “The robbers penetrated almost all the houses on my street. I was literally panicking while hearing those gunshots. It could have been me or anyone who got shot or killed”.
In response, the university management declared Thursday a lecture-free day to allow students to mourn their colleague. The Vice‑Chancellor, Professor Ayodeji Agboola, on behalf of the University Senate, directed the suspension of academic activities, while expressing heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family and the student body. In a statement, the Deputy Registrar, Niyi Oduwole, assured students that the institution would collaborate with relevant security agencies to strengthen surveillance and improve safety within the university environment and surrounding communities. The management also appealed for calm, urging students to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could escalate the situation.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident and launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects. Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, stated that operatives responded promptly to the distress call and that investigations are ongoing. Babaseyi also commiserated with the family of the deceased and the OOU community, assuring them of the command’s commitment to justice.
The latest killing comes amid growing concerns over insecurity around the university, which has been a recurring theme in recent months. Students at the OOU Ibogun campus have repeatedly protested armed robbery attacks on hostels, with gunmen reportedly invading student residences, stealing valuables, and injuring occupants. The protests have drawn attention to the persistent threat facing students living off‑campus and the urgent need for enhanced security measures.
For the OOU community, the tragic death of Lawanson Abiodun has not only cast a pall of grief but also underscored a stark reality: in Ago‑Iwoye, the fight for an education now carries a mortal risk.
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