Security is a fundamental expectation in any student residence, yet recent events at the University of Ibadan have exposed glaring weaknesses in hostel safety. In the span of two weeks, two separate robbery incidents—one in a private hostel and another in a school-owned hostel—have raised serious concerns about commitment to student security. There is a lack of not just adequate security measures, but also satisfactory responses by appropriate bodies to such incidents leaving students to question their safety and the consequences of further negligence.
On January 31st, at approximately 3 a.m., *Asake was jolted awake in her solitary room at Iyalode Taofikat Hostel by an armed, masked intruder wielding a knife. The intruder demanded a transfer of 500,000 Naira. He had gained entry through her balcony door, which he unlocked by reaching through the adjacent open windows. Upon realizing the situation, she managed to escape through the front door, prompting the intruder to flee with her phone and 900 Naira in cash.
Despite efforts to track the stolen phone or apprehend the culprit, no success was recorded. The University of Ibadan Security Unit, Abefele, searched but found only a ladder beneath the balcony, presumably used for access. Security personnel advised the hostel management to employ professional security guards, given that none were in the vicinity. However, the management, represented by the hostel porters, merely offered an apology and inquired about Asake’s next steps. The owner of the private hostel took no action whatsoever.
Two weeks later, on February 15th, around 4 a.m., a similar incident occurred at Obafemi Awolowo Hall. *Angie and her roommates were preparing for the day when a masked man, clad in a black gown entered their room. Threatening to “blow their brains out” and call his “guys” to “do them dirty,” he coerced them into surrendering their valuables, majorly phones, before fleeing.
The psychological and academic toll on victims has been profound. Everyone affected in both hostels complained of the immediate stress of the following weeks, during which they had to shuffle between police stations, banks, and service providers’ offices. For Asake, losing her phone resulted in severe communication challenges, affecting her academics and social interactions. The fear of another attack forced her to relocate temporarily, incurring additional financial and emotional costs. She now struggles with heightened anxiety and reluctance to live alone. Similarly, Angie and her roommates experienced significant distress, with one even choosing to stop sleeping in the room altogether. Angie’s small business was disrupted due to communication breakdowns, almost costing her a major contract.
These incidents naturally raise concerns about hostel security on campus. The Abefele officers are responsible for patrolling hostel buildings at night. While no specific hostel is prioritized over another in terms of security, it is noteworthy that these events did not occur in male hostels. This suggests a potential gender-related vulnerability given that similar events have occurred previously in Awo Hall and the female blocks of the Abdulsalam post-graduate hall, and at identical intervals (January/February 2025 – July/August 2019). It is to be noted that there have been reports of thieves and suspicious individuals apprehended in male hostels, particularly Zik Hall, and were often immediately resolved. Private hostels, such as Iyalode Taofikat, lack robust security infrastructure beyond a main gate guard and ID checks at the entrance.
The broader discussion on campus security is a separate issue. The immediate concern here is the response of the school and hostel management to these incidents. While security lapses contributed to these events, the key question is: What actions were taken to rectify the situation and prevent a recurrence?
Given these recurring security breaches, one would expect a swift and robust response from the school authorities. However, no significant measures have been implemented to enhance hostel security. The absence of a coordinated response only reinforces the perception that student safety is not a priority.
Following the Awo Hall robbery, the school’s Vice Chancellor reportedly directed affected students not to leave the hostel, citing concerns over the hall’s reputation. Angie was even prevented from leaving with her mother under the threat of eviction. Meanwhile, at Iyalode Taofikat Hall, despite recommendations from Abefele to implement security measures, no actions were taken. Asake’s request for a room change, prompted by her fear of staying in the same space where she was attacked, was only granted after a confrontation with hostel porters.
The response from hostel management has only reinforced the perception that student security is not a priority. A statement from the hostel porters—”It can happen to anyone”—reflects a concerning level of indifference. While crimes can occur anywhere, treating them as inevitable rather than preventable is irresponsible. The absence of urgency in addressing these issues suggests a troubling normalisation of such threats.
Regarding the response of the Iyalode Taofikat Hostel management, Asake remarked: “I think they could have done better, considering the fact that it happened in their place. It wasn’t my fault, to be honest. I don’t think it was at all. It was their lack of security. Because if there was a security guard at the back of the hostel, no one would have dared to climb the balcony to get into someone’s room. So I think it was their fault, and I think they were not ready to admit that it was. They were trying to make it seem like it was just ‘something’ that happened and even suggested that it was someone I had a conflict with who targeted me. Even if that was the case, they wouldn’t have been able to do that if there was a guard. It was their fault, and they weren’t ready to accept that they could have done better.“
These events also serve as a stark warning about the potential escalation of crimes, from isolated robberies to large-scale assaults. The university’s failure to implement proactive security measures raises critical questions: If such incidents escalate, will the institution continue to downplay their significance? Will perpetrators be pursued, or will efforts be made to suppress complaints to protect reputations? The ease with which intruders have accessed hostels underscores fundamental flaws in the institution’s security infrastructure. Students remain highly vulnerable without stringent regulations for hostel security—especially in private establishments. Relying on gatekeepers alone is insufficient when hostels housing hundreds, sometimes thousands, of students lack dedicated security personnel.
To mitigate such risks, the security system in private hostels must be significantly improved and closely monitored. There must be an immediate response mechanism in place to handle emergencies efficiently. While public hostels may have slightly better security, they still exhibit glaring deficiencies that must be addressed to prevent future occurrences. A proper response system should be established across all hostels and campus facilities to swiftly address security threats, recover stolen property, and apprehend offenders.
A crucial step would be for the university to regulate the establishment of private hostels within the campus. Stringent preconditions should be imposed, including mandatory proof of adequate security measures before construction is approved. After all, the students residing in these hostels are ultimately under the university’s care and responsibility.
The decision to permit the establishment of multiple hostels without a standardized security framework is deeply questionable. This may explain why the university has granted licenses to private individuals to construct accommodations without ensuring adequate protection for students. The failure to improve security standards in public and private hostels reveals a fundamental neglect of student welfare.
While academic excellence remains a core mission of the institution, it cannot come at the expense of student safety. It is essential that students not only excel in their studies but also live in an environment where they feel secure—free from the fear of break-ins as they dedicate themselves to their education. The pursuit of academic achievement must never outweigh the fundamental right to safety and mental well-being.
*Names have been changed to protect the identities of respondents
Abeoji
