Today, July 10, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) community marks the 26th anniversary of the tragic cult attack that claimed the lives of five students in 1999, an incident that remains one of the darkest moments in the history of Nigerian universities.
In the early hours of July 10, 1999, around 4:30 a.m., about 40 suspected members of the notorious Black Axe Confraternity, reportedly dressed in black and armed with shotguns and machetes, invaded Awolowo Hall of Residence. Their target was reportedly student union leaders and others who had taken a firm stand against cultism on campus.
The attack left five students dead: George Akinyemi Iwilade, known as Afrika, a 21-year-old 400-level Law student and Secretary-General of the Students’ Union Government; Eviano Ekeimu, a 400-level Medicine student; Yemi Ajiteru, an extra-year student; Babatunde Oke, a 100-level Philosophy student; and Godfrey Ekpede.
The gruesome incident occurred just two months after Nigeria’s return to democratic rule, shaking the university community and igniting a nationwide outcry against campus cultism.
Since then, July 10 has remained a solemn day of remembrance at OAU. Students, staff and alumni gather annually for memorial services, candlelight vigils and anti-cultism rallies aimed at keeping the memory of the victims alive and reaffirming their commitment to eradicating cult violence.
This year, tributes also flooded social media, where many recalled the sacrifice of the “OAU 5,” as the slain students are often referred to.
“We remember the five students of Obafemi Awolowo University who were brutally murdered by cultists who invaded their hostel to carry out the dastardly act on July 10, 1999,” wrote @ABIMBOLA_jnr on X (formerly Twitter).
Another user, @osadiname, posted: “OAU 5 lives forever! Afrika lives forever! The utmost price they paid shall never be in vain. Anti-cultism walk in commemoration of the July 10, 1999 massacre @GreatIfe_SU.”
Despite investigations following the attack, no convictions have been recorded, leaving a painful reminder of the ongoing struggle to tackle cultism in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The memory of the OAU 5 continues to inspire new generations of students to stand firmly against injustice and violence on campuses nationwide.
