Violent cult clash has erupted near the University of Ilesha, Osun State, leaving several students injured and the local community in a state of fear. This clash, which unfolded around the university’s vicinity off-campus, has raised concerns over student safety, university security measures, and the broader issue of cult-related violence on campuses in Nigeria.
While there have been no confirmed fatalities, multiple students sustained varying degrees of injuries, some of which are believed to be critical. The violence, reportedly involving rival cult groups, spread across several streets close to the university, with weapons like cutlasses and charms being used against unsuspecting students. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with innocent bystanders falling victim to the violence.
According to one student who spoke exclusively with us, thenigeriaeducationnews.com the fighting began around MocroDollar Street in Ilesha, near the university’s off-campus hostel areas. The student, who requested to remain anonymous for safety reasons, reported that the cultists were not targeting specific individuals from rival groups but were indiscriminately attacking anyone in their path, causing widespread panic.
“They were fighting from one street to another, using cutlasses and charms. They didn’t care if you were innocent or not,” the student said. “I was going out to buy food to break my fast when I heard that the police were around and that no one should leave their homes after dark. But this was not just a one-off incident. It was still happening today, not just yesterday. It was so bad that even students who were completely uninvolved in the fight got hurt.”
The eyewitness also revealed that the cultists had extended their attacks all the way to the school gate and nearby hostels. The campus, which should have been a safe space for students, had quickly turned into a battleground.
In response to the chaos, Mr. Oladapo Titilope, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ayeso Division, spoke to us: thenigeriaeducationnews and provided insights into the situation. He confirmed that the violent clash was a confrontation between cult members and not an indiscriminate fight.
“The clash was not as severe as people have been projecting,” DPO Titilope said. “What happened was more of a skirmish. We’ve stationed patrol vehicles in three strategic areas: Ugodi area before the school gate, at the school gate, and after the school gate. We’ve also increased our presence to ensure that things are under control. The situation is now calm, and we’re confident that everything is in order.”
However, some students of the University and residents remain unconvinced, stating that the situation was far from under control during the early hours of the incident. Another student who spoke with http://thenigeriaeducationnews.com “I was there yesterday and today, and I can tell you that the situation was far from under control, despite what the police and university management are saying. They’re trying to downplay what happened, but the truth is, it was a lot worse than they’re letting on.
On the night the clash started, it was chaos. Cultists were fighting with cutlasses and charms, and it wasn’t just some small skirmish. They were going from street to street, and it didn’t matter who got in their way. They attacked innocent students—people who had no business with the cult groups—just because they happened to be there. It wasn’t just an isolated incident; this went on for hours. I saw students who were injured, and they didn’t even do anything to provoke it.
When I went out to buy food to break my fast, I heard people whispering that the police were around and that everyone should stay indoors, but I could tell it wasn’t just a one-time thing. The fighting wasn’t limited to yesterday; it spilled over into today too. It was a broad, ongoing clash, and the whole area was affected. People were scared. I know what the DPO said—that it wasn’t as serious as reported—but I don’t believe that. If everything was really under control, why were students still being attacked today? Why was there still so much tension in the air?
However, reports of continued violence throughout the day contradict the assurances from the police and the university’s management.
In an official response, the university’s management, led by Vice Chancellor Professor Taiwo Olufemi Asaolu through the Registrar, issued a memorandum announcing a two-week break for students, effective immediately. This decision was made following consultations with the university’s Senate and in response to the security breach involving off-campus student residences. The break is intended to allow time for security agencies to stabilize the situation and ensure the safety of students.
“The University of Ilesha management has acted promptly to safeguard students and staff following reports of the security breach,” said Professor Asaolu in a statement. “We have also ensured that the police and military personnel have been deployed to secure the area. We are committed to ensuring the safety of all students.”
The University’s Registrar, Funso Ojo, further stated in the memo, urging students to use the break for academic preparation ahead of the upcoming 2024/2025 first-semester examinations, which are scheduled to begin on Monday, March 17, 2025.
While the university has taken steps to address the situation, concerns remain about the communication and response from key figures in the university’s administration. Attempts to reach Dr. Odekunle, the Dean of Student Affairs (DSA), and RTD INSP Ojeniyi, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the university by, have so far been unsuccessful.
http://thenigeriaeducationnews.com made multiple attempts to contact Dr. Odekunle and INSP Ojeniyi, but their phone lines were unresponsive, and text messages sent to both officials had yet to receive any reply as of the time of this publication. Their silence raises questions about the university’s preparedness and the level of communication between student affairs and campus security.
The local community, which includes both students and residents of Ilesha, has expressed deep concerns about the safety of the area. Many students are now questioning whether the university has adequate security measures in place to handle such violent outbreaks. The fact that a cult clash could erupt so close to campus, with students being caught in the crossfire, suggests that more proactive measures are needed to ensure safety.
The clash has also highlighted the larger issue of cult-related violence in Nigerian universities, an ongoing problem that has plagued many institutions. The rise in cultism and the increasing number of violent clashes between rival groups has put the safety of students at risk. Many students are now calling for stronger security protocols, more vigilant monitoring of student activities, and greater engagement from university management to address the root causes of cultism.
As this situation continues to develop, the university and local authorities are urged to take immediate action to ensure that incidents like this do not happen again. While the two-week break may provide temporary relief, it is clear that long-term solutions are needed to restore order and protect the lives of students. Students, staff, and the wider community are calling for more robust security measures, greater accountability, and a stronger commitment to ending the scourge of cultism in universities.
http://thenigeriaeducationnews.com will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as new information becomes available.
