Students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State have petitioned the state government and other security agencies over recurring violent attacks by criminals within the institution.
The call came shortly after the murder of a student earlier this week by unknown persons.
The president of the institution's students' union, Oyindamola Boladale, described the situation as an alarming security situation, which puts the lives of students at great risk due to violent crimes.
“The urgent need for more security personnel during these difficult times cannot be overstated or understated,” he said in a letter to the Ondo State Government.
The student body also copied the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Amotekun Corps Commander and the leadership of the anti-cult unit of the Nigeria Police, urging them to intensify efforts to safeguard the community and provide necessary support to ensure the safety of the students.
Mr Boladale said recent events had turned the Akungba community into a dangerous terrain, a place where armed robbers have had their field day and have resorted to massacring students with knives and broken bottles after robbing them.
“This level of violence is unprecedented and has created an atmosphere of fear and anxiety among students.
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“Many of us can no longer sleep with our eyes closed; we are forced to constantly worry about our safety. It is imperative that immediate steps are taken to restore safety in our community,” he added.
According to him, the current situation requires a strong and coordinated response from all relevant authorities.
“We urge the Inspector General of Police, the Ondo State Government and the Commissioner of Police to take decisive but immediate action by deploying additional security personnel to the Akungba community and our university.
“The presence of more security agents will serve as a deterrent to criminals and provide a sense of security and peace of mind to students. We need the support of the government to ensure that our community is safe for all residents,” the student leader said.
He suggested that the host community of Akungba Akoko engage in a fruitful dialogue among stakeholders on security to address the issue.
“The challenges we face require a united and proactive approach. We have urged all AAUAITES members to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activity and prioritize their safety at all times.
“This is done in the hope that the government will address this issue with the full attention it deserves. The union is committed to addressing these issues and working towards a safer environment for all.
“We appreciate your early responses and support in helping us navigate these difficult times,” Boladale said.
On Monday, unidentified gunmen killed a 300-level student of the Linguistics department in one of the city's private student dormitories.
The Vice President of the National Association of University Students, Oladele Emmanuel, also called on security agents and management to help find a solution to the situation and uncover the killers.
In February, a student at the institution, Ifeoluwa Adekunle, was also horribly murdered inside her room.
Police later accused Olubodun Sanni, a final year student of the institution's Geology department, of involvement in the murder.