The management of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, OAUSTECH, in Okitipupa, Ondo State, has allayed fears over reported state of insecurity around the tertiary institution.
A release signed by Mr G Saliu, Registrar of the University, states that there is mutual co-existence between the University community and the neighbouring towns of Ayeka and Igodan.
“The attention on the OAUSTECH Management has been drawn to the news on social
media on the recent spate of insecurity around the metropolis where our students reside,” Saliu said in the statement. “The University wishes to inform the general public that the Management had
received reports of a few unconfirmed instances of rape in the past, which is being investigated.
“Though there were pockets of reports of burglaries and thefts around the off campus hostels, the recent crisis was orchestrated by the incidence of thieves/burglars who were caught and students refused to hand them over to the police until the Nigerian Army from the Okitipupa barracks intervened.
“The matter led to disagreements between students and the host communities, with an unfortunate attack of an indigene on the way to his farm in the early hours of Thursday, June 24, 2021.
“In the wake of the imbroglio, students went on rampage and even disrupted the meeting of the Governing Council while a few properties of the University were destroyed.
“We want to put on record that Management later met with representatives of the students that day and also led the students’ leaders to meet with the Council of Chiefs of two of the major towns around i.e Igodan-Lisa and Ayeka.
“At the palaces, the traditional leaders pleaded with OAUSTECH students to stop taking laws into their hands and to desist from night crawling and indecent dressing, especially by some female students that walk around the towns with skimpy/revealing dresses. They requested the Management, staff and students to support them in their efforts being put in place by the town to ensure safety of lives and properties in the metropolis, by maintaining decorum and never to take laws in their hands.
“The University Management also have it, on good authority, that the recent crisis was being escalated to force Management to stop the investigation of some union leaders involved in one form of “misconduct” or the other and had been facing investigation panels
“The University has been planning a security summit to involve the University, host communities, security agencies and all stakeholders. The summit will hold on Wednesday, JuIy 14, 202t.
“The Management hereby pleads with all to remain calm as the situation is under control. We also plead with News Agencies to always crosscheck the facts of what they publish as there were no gun men attack as reported’
