Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State have been closed for academic activities after four female students were reportedly raped by gunmen.
On Thursday students of the institution trooped out to register their displeasure over incessant robberies in their hostels, as well as raping incident of students by hoodlums suspected to be coming from neighbourhood.
The students during the protest partially blocked the Okitipupa-Igbokoda road, disrupting free-flow of traffic on the route to register their grievances.
Confirming the raping incident, Damilola Okunomo, President, Student Union Government of the institution told NAN that the students were tired of the level of insecurity in the area.
He said the hoodlums robbed students of their valuables like phones, laptops, electronic gadgets and rape female students at gunpoint.
Mr Okunomo added that four female students were raped two weeks ago, alleging that the institution’s management was not doing enough to secure the lives and properties of students.
“We are tired of this insecurity, armed hoodlums usually come to our off-campus hostels, rob students at gunpoint, and also rape our female students.
“The school management is not to doing enough as we are the ones securing ourselves by working as vigilantes most times, the situation is terrible.
“We urge the school management to do its best in securing us and complete all the uncompleted hostel accommodations in our campus as this will also guarantee our security,” Okunomo said.
Another student told newsmen on condition of anonymity said she and her colleagues had to relocate to squat with a friend because of the activities of burglars and rapists. She said they threatened to use charms on them.
“There was a night they came to our resident, they stole our phones, laptops and wounded one of us. We reported the incident to the Police and the Amotekun Corps without any action, instead they were demanding bribes from us before they can carry out their jobs.”
Reacting, Ilemobayo Oguntimehin, Dean of Students Affairs of OAUSTECH, told NAN that the school management was doing its best to secure the lives and properties of the students.
Meanwhile report says the Olusegun Agagu University Of Science and Technology, Management has Declared two weeks mid-semester break due to the insecurity.
Some students who spoke on phone confirmed the break, even as all students have been directed to return home for cover.