Students of the Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade, in the Iperu North Local Government Area of Ogun State staged a peaceful protest on Monday, December 4, against the incessant robbery attacks in their off-campus residences.
The Gateway Polytechnic Students marched to the administration building of the polytechnic, demanding urgent intervention from the school authorities and the security agencies.
The protest was triggered by the latest robbery incident on Saturday, December 2, when a group of armed men invaded the Ode-Remo community, a popular student area, and killed one student, identified as Segun, while injuring several others.
The robbers also looted the students’ belongings and allegedly molested some female students.
According to the Gateway Polytechnic Students, the Ode-Remo community has been a frequent target of the robbers, who operate with impunity and shoot sporadically.
The students said they have been living in fear and insecurity as the robbers strike at any time of the day or night.
One of the protesters, who identified himself as Francis Dwumfour, told SaharaReporters that he was shot by the robbers during the November 19 attack and was still recovering from his wounds. He said the robbers were not only after money and valuables but also derived pleasure from inflicting pain and trauma on the students.
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“We are tired of this situation. We can no longer sleep or study in peace. We are here to learn, not to die. We want the school management and the government to do something about it. We want more security presence in our area. We want justice for Segun and other victims. We want our lives and dignity to be protected,” he said.
The Gateway Polytechnic Students carried placards with various inscriptions, such as “Stop killing us,” “We are not safe,” “Enough is enough,” and “Say no to robbery.” They also chanted slogans and sang solidarity songs as they expressed their grievances and demands.
The protest was peaceful and orderly, as the students did not engage in any violence or vandalism. They were received by the rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Olusegun Oyewole, who assured them that their concerns would be addressed and that the school would liaise with the relevant authorities to ensure their safety and security.
He also commiserated with the students over the loss of their colleague and the injuries sustained by others. He urged them to remain calm and law-abiding and to cooperate with the security agencies in their investigations. He also advised them to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities or persons to the appropriate quarters.