The recent surge in criminal activities around the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has sparked widespread concern among students, who say their safety, mental well-being, and academic concentration have been severely compromised. In the past few days, several incidents of robbery, sexual assault, attempted murder, and destruction of property have been reported in student hostels and off-campus residences.
The Nigeria Education News correspondent, spoke with a number of FUOYE students via phone call interviews. The affected students painted a disturbing picture of insecurity, with some saying they were directly attacked in their hostels during the night, while others recounted near-death experiences.
A female student who preferred not to be named said during the call, “My hostel was affected and my room to be precise… but thank God he couldn’t enter inside cos it wouldn’t have been funny at all. He came through the window confidently, tore the net, and put his torch inside to alert us to stand up and asked us to open the door.”
The student further added, “It wasn’t even funny. We never comot for school niyen oo. If we go na to park all our things comot ni… it’s not even funny anymore.”
Several other students have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to vent their frustrations and call for immediate intervention from the school management and the Students’ Union Government (SUG). One user with the handle @seun_dtruth posted: “Oye Ekiti has gotten to the point as a student you should have a cutlass in your room cause the rate in which thief confidently come and meet you to open door or even harass someone during the time of 3am to 5am is getting too much.”
The post continued: “Last 2 days they came to my hostel. Dear FUOYE Students Union Govt, the memo you called fake is not fake ooo, cause throughout this week, attack from student [victims] has been happening and nothing has been done.”
A final year student who identified herself as Damilola Oluwatomiwa, also shared her experience over the phone, stating, “I was awake when I heard noises around 1am. I thought it was rats until I saw the torchlight shining from the window. The guy was whispering that we should open the door. We screamed, and he fled. That’s the second time in one week.”
Israel, a visibly agitated 300 level student, who spoke to The Nigeria Education News via phone call said, “Is it until they start killing students before the school will take proper measures? They should fucking bring back our exam to this week make everybody do wetin they wan do dey go our parents house.”
Students have also raised concerns about the examination schedule, expressing their dissatisfaction with having to stay in an unsafe environment simply because of exams scheduled for June 14 and June 19. “Imagine staying here because of an exam we have on the 14th and 19th. What happened to this week that we can’t get it done? Omo ehn,” another student lamented.
Several posts and threads on X have echoed similar sentiments. One post read, “Abi is the school authority not aware of what is going on? Everybody is saying stay safe, stay safe… no be my hostel I dey jeje wey them con meet us for 1am.”
Another student, who preferred anonymity for safety reasons, said, “I haven’t been able to sleep well for three days. Every small sound wakes me. We now take turns to sleep and watch the door. Nobody expected to live in fear like this.”
The Nigeria Education News correspondent also reviewed multiple comments on X, showing widespread fear and disillusionment among the student population. One user wrote: “You can’t blame people for wanting to leave school premises. It’s like we’re on our own. No security patrol, no light, no response from the management.”
When asked if any official security measure has been implemented, a 300-level student of Political Science said during a phone interview, “Nothing has been done. The security office said they are ‘aware’ and working on it. But we’re the ones here at night, hearing people scream for help.”
Another tweet that gained traction read: “I left my lodge to stay with a friend because I can’t sleep alone again. How is this an academic environment when you’re constantly afraid for your life?”
The Nigeria Education News reached out to the FUOYE Students’ Union Government through its verified X account, but as of the time of this report, no official response had been received. However, students continue to question the union’s silence and what they perceive as a lack of urgency.
A student of the Faculty of Education, who identified himself simply as David, said via phone, “We just want them to hear us. Nobody is asking for too much. Provide proper security. Bring back exams. Let us finish and go home in peace.”
Many students are now calling for a temporary halt to academic activities or an expedited examination schedule. They argue that their lives and safety must come first, especially in an environment where the danger is no longer a matter of speculation but of lived experience.
As of press time, The Nigeria Education News could not independently verify if the university authorities have issued any updated security directive. However, the chorus of student voices demanding change continues to grow louder by the day.
