The vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Idowu Olayinka has described the the security of the school as porous following frequent armed robbery attacks that occur there.
A few weeks ago, a block a female block of Abubakar Abdulsalam post-graduate hall of residence was attacked by armed robbers which led to two male students being cuts on heir heads with a machete.
In an interview shared to Facebook, the VC told Tree Club Press that the insecurity situation in the institution is worrisome.
Read Also: Armed Robbers Attack Female Hostel In The University Of Ibadan
His words: “Yes, security has been an issue. The Oyo State Commissioner of Police even came here personally for the most recent crisis at Obafemi Awolowo Hall. It’s worrisome. Security of lives and property is very important. So, we are thinking of taking measures,” he said.
“Yes, UI is porous. There are even some other illegal entry and exit points. Behind Emmanuel College, there are foot paths. So, the campus is porous. There’s no doubt about that.
“”It’s a problem. And that’s why everybody has to be security conscious. It may not be totally eliminated but at least to reduce it to the barest minimum so that people can sleep with their two eyes closed. It’s an on-going something. They burgle staff quarters and all those…of course, you may not be aware. They even burgled a place very close to the VC’s lodge.”
The VC talked about improving the limitation of the hostel to improve security, adding that a male hall may be built close to Awo hall(female hostel) so that should there be an attempted attack, the attacker(s) will “face the boys” and they will “finish you if you try any nonsense”.
“We are talking of the lighting. There was even another burglary after the ugly incident in the early hours of July 12th. The CSO told me that on that particular floor, no bulb. The students on their own removed it. So, the place was dark. It’s the job of everybody,” he said.
“I was at Awolowo Hall on Sunday evening, just impromptu. But somehow, my Hall Warden was on ground. We are trying to construct a perimeter road so that there can be patrol.
“We can even build another hostel there and make it solely for male students, so that you first of all face the boys and they finish you if you tried any nonsense, among other things. No part of the world is 100% safe.”
“And if its true that the institution had not recruited in seven years, Olayinka said: “Yes, it’s possible. It’s not impossible. It’s a matter of cash. Because, we don’t have money. Jaja (the University Health Service clinic) is under-staffed, the academic departments are under-staffed. So, we cannot just take one department and treat it in isolation. For every new staff that you engage, it increases your wage bill.”
