Four female students from Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), located in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, were allegedly raped by individuals believed to be armed robbers in one of the university’s neighborhoods.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at Abapawa. Details about the incident were unclear at the time of reporting.
However, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele confirmed the incident through a post on her Instagram handle, noimot. oyedele. She mentioned that she visited the school management, students, and the victims of the incident, who are currently undergoing treatment at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu.
In her Instagram post, the Deputy Governor stated, ”Earlier today, after receiving the distressing news about an armed robbery at some TASUED students hostels and the brutal rape of four female students, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON, directed me to immediately visit the victims and the campus on a fact-finding mission and to pledge the government’s support in ensuring that this doesn’t happen again.”
“I have visited the girls who are now being cared for and given the necessary support to heal from their trauma at the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) at OSUTH.”
“Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students is of utmost importance and I subsequently had a crucial meeting with the management and students of TASUED.”
“I was joined by the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abiodun Alamutu, and the Hon Commissioner for Education, Professor Abayomi Arigbagbu, where we discussed concrete steps to bolster security measures and foster a safe environment on campus and the adjacent host community.”
“The Ogun State government is committed to ensuring the safety of all citizens and that our institutions remain safe spaces for learning and growth.”
During her meeting with the university’s administration and student representatives, Salako-Oyedele assured that the government would make every effort to apprehend and prosecute those responsible for the distressing robbery and rape incident in the region, emphasizing that they would not escape justice.
She highlighted that the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, had already visited the scene of the incident as soon as it was reported, and he is diligently working to ensure that the wrongdoers face the legal consequences of their actions.
She emphasized the importance of preventing any future recurrence of such incidents, as it ranks among the most heinous crimes against humanity.
“I am on a fact-finding mission to establish what happened and what could be done to support the victims immediately and subsequently, apprehend the criminals and of course, prevent such a thing from happening again,” she said.
The Deputy Governor urged the university’s administration to collaborate with the local community, law enforcement, and students in establishing stakeholder partnerships. These partnerships would implement measures to ensure the safety of students living off-campus, safeguarding both their lives and property.
She pledged that the victims would receive comprehensive support, encompassing medical care, emotional assistance, and moral support, aiming to help them recover from the trauma and lead normal lives without facing any form of stigma.
The State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof Abayomi Arigbagbu, expressed his deep concern about the incident, assuring the representatives of the distressed student union that the government would make every possible effort to bring the culprits to justice.
“The CP has promised that the Police will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book and justice prevails. I call on everyone to stand united against such heinous act and work collectively to uphold the dignity and safety of all citizens.”