The management of the University of Ibadan, (UI) has announced that armed policemen from Oyo State Police Command have been engaged to partner Campus Security Service in patrolling the university community with immediate effect.
The school made this announcement in a circular signed by its vice chancellor, Professor Idowu Olayinka, part of which was sent to blueprint by a student who preferred anonymity.
The decision to involve national security come complement the campus security was necessary in view of the recent robbery attacks on the campus.
Last month, some men of the underworld attacked the Obafemi Awolowo hall, where students’ property ranging from mobile phones, laptops and money were carted away from female students. Our correspondent gathered that no fewer than two students were injured in the hostel attack.
Four weeks later, a similar incident was recorded at the Abubakar Abdulsalami hall, a post-graduate hostel, where students’ property worth over N250,000 were taken away in addition to injuries sustained by some students.
The attacks made the institution to impose a partial curfew on the campus after it banned male visitors in its female hostels. The partial curfew which takes effect from last Wednesday is effective between 12 midnight and 5am.
The university however, declared that it had revised and reviewed its security system. The management said the decision to engage the policemen was taken at its security committee meeting on Monday.
Olayinka stated that all businesses and restaurants should close not later than 9pm every evening.
The VC said the physical planning and project management unit of the institution will embark on demolition of illegal structures in residential areas in order to safeguard life and property.
“The University Security Committee met today to review the current security situation on the Campus of the University of Ibadan. Some decisions were taken after reviewing the security situation thus far.
“There will be armed policemen from the Oyo State Police Command to complement the Campus Security Service in patrolling the entire campus with immediate effect.
“All business outfits, including restaurants, should close not later than 9 pm every evening.
“The Campus Security Service will embark on random checks of staff quarters to identify unauthorised occupants of university residences.”
