Hoodlums, suspected to be armed robbers have reportedly attacked students of the Gateway Polytechnic (ICT), Sapaade, Ogun State, resulting in the death of one person, with nine others sustaining injuries in Ode Remo during the early hours of Saturday.
Reports state has that the assailants specifically targeted students residing in off-campus hostels in Sapaade, including areas in Ode, Ipara, and Isara.
This incident occurred just a week after the school’s management temporarily closed the institution for three days due to student protests following the reported rape of female students the previous week.
The suspected robbers returned to Ode in the early hours of Saturday, targeting students’ hostels. According to a source, the armed criminals entered the students’ hostel around 3 am, instigating terror. The attack, situated in the Larufi area of Ode, resulted in one fatality and injuries to nine others, including a landlord.
Several video clips of the attack have gone viral, showing shattered doors, broken windows, and walls pierced by bullets, depicting the severity of the situation.
It was gathered that the robbers used heavy stones to break some windows to force their way into the hostels.
“I heard a gunshot around 3 am and when I woke up this morning, I was told they shot nine students and one landlord. They were taken to the hospital, but one died.
“They stole a car to escape,” one of the students said.
Speaking to a senior lecturer at the Polytechnic who confirmed the attack said, six were shot of which one died.
“According to the story I heard, the guy that was shot (dead) is not our student, he graduated last session hopefully expecting to come back for his HND next session,” the lecturer said.
Describing the incessant attacks on students as unfortunate, he noted that the government had deviated from the agreement between the State and citizens.
“It is quite unfortunate that the government has deviated from the agreement between the State and citizens. Protection of lives and property are nothing to write home about in this country where our environment is not left out,” the lecturer said.
The Police spokesman, Omolola Odutola, has not responded to calls and messages from our correspondent as of the time of this report.
The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Adedayo Folorunsho, also refrained from commenting on the attack, stating that “the security agencies should be allowed to do their jobs.”
In the midst of these developments, the student union of the polytechnic has expressed a vote of no confidence in Governor Dapo Abiodun, citing concerns over the security challenges in the students’ communities.
“Sequel to the incessant robbery attack on the student of the Gateway ICT Polytechnic Saapade, the Students’ Union and students leaders of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade are exhausted with what we described as unattainable promises, miscalculated and undue priorities on insecurity by the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun and the security apparatus within the axis of Ipara, Ode, and Isara,” reads a statement signed by Olatunji Idowu Alexander, President of the Students’ Union (SUG).”
“As the student union body, we expect that the institution which is just a few minutes drive to the governor’s personal residence should be dear to the heart of the governor in providing adequate security for the environment.”
“The students have lost confidence in the deliverables of the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun as it concerns students safety, they strongly condemn the absolute negligence and drastically too slow pace of responsibilities towards these concerns.”
“The poor security systems, that has resulted in cases of rape, theft, killing of students, robbery, assault and destruction of properties on campus and around. The learning conditions for students on the campus have become unbearable.”
Meanwhile, the Polytechnic’s alumni association has advocated for the declaration of a state of emergency on security and the imposition of a curfew from 6 am to 7 pm in Remo North Local Government in the state.
Ajala Olumide, the National President of the Alumni Association, conveyed in a statement to the press, strongly disapproved and expressed significant discontent regarding the precarious security conditions in the school communities. These conditions have led to persistent incidents of robberies, attacks, property losses, and loss of lives among the student population.
He said, “The level of the insecurity around the institution calls for a sober reflection and urgent attention from the school management, leaders of our three major communities, local government, necessary stakeholders, and the state government.”
“Education is the best weapon to liberate the world, but it is so disheartening that the state government led by His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun has turned a deaf ear to the incessant robberies, attacks, loss of lives and properties facing the students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic Saapade which is the best polytechnic in the state and the fastest growing polytechnic in the country,” he said.
He outlined the association’s requests, which include calling for a state of emergency in the security situation of Remo North Local Government and advocating for the implementation of a curfew from 6 am to 7 pm.
The Alumni Association urged the students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, to stay vigilant and maintain a peaceful demeanor. The president pledged to take a leading role in restoring normalcy to the school environment by collaborating with the school management, community leaders, local government, relevant stakeholders, and the state government.
He also urged community leaders in Ode, Isara, and Ipara to ensure the safety of students in their respective communities. Highlighting the positive impact of Gateway ICT Polytechnic students on development in Remo North Local Government, he emphasized their right to a secure and conducive learning environment.
Simultaneously, he used the opportunity to appeal to the state government, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, to intervene and rescue the students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, from the recurring incidents of robberies, attacks, and the loss of lives and property.