A female Higher National Diploma (HND) student of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, Ogun State, has been killed during a midnight robbery attack in Eruku Community, Ewekoro Local Government Area, triggering protests by students demanding improved security.
The victim, an HND II Marketing student, was reportedly shot dead by armed robbers just days before she was due to begin her examinations. Two other students were also injured during the attack, including a female student whose ear was reportedly cut and a male student who sustained a gunshot wound and is receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta.
The killing sparked outrage on Tuesday as students of the institution barricaded the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in front of the school, disrupting traffic and commercial activities for several hours while demanding urgent government intervention.
Speaking during the protest, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Blessing Owoigbe, blamed the attack on inadequate security around the student community. She said the latest incident was one of several attacks that had occurred in Eruku, calling on the Ogun State Government to take immediate action.
“It happened at midnight. One of the final-year HND II Marketing students was killed, another female student was injured after her ear was cut, and another male student who was shot is currently receiving treatment at FMC. We need the full support of the government because there is no security. This is not the first, second or even third attack in Eruku,” Owoigbe said.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also condemned the attack, describing it as a tragic reminder of the growing insecurity confronting students across Ogun State and Nigeria. In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Oladimeji Uthman, the association declared a state of emergency in Eruku Community and advised students with alternative accommodation to temporarily relocate until security improves.
NANS urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to strengthen security around tertiary institutions and student communities by working closely with security agencies, school managements, local government authorities, traditional rulers and student leaders. The association also called on heads of higher institutions to review existing security measures both on and off campus.
The student body extended condolences to the family of the deceased and the management, staff and students of D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, stressing that students should never have to risk their lives simply to pursue an education.
NANS further appealed to the Eleruku of Eruku Community, Oba Kolawole Edunjobi Adifase, and other community leaders to publicly condemn criminal activities and work with security agencies to restore confidence and ensure the safety of students living in the area.
