Herders Raid LAUTECH Students’ Off-Campus Hostels In Oyo, Kill Two
SaharaReporters learned that the suspected herders invaded communities around Stadium Area of Ogbomoso town in Oyo State last Monday and burgled many hotels accommodating thousands of LAUTECH students.
Armed men, believed to be herders, have been accused of breaking into private hostels at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), stealing phones and other valuables, and allegedly killing two individuals.
SaharaReporters learned that the suspected herders invaded communities around Stadium Area of Ogbomoso town in Oyo State last Monday and burgled many hotels accommodating thousands of LAUTECH students.
Some of the affected students who spoke to SaharaReporters said the suspected herders broke into rooms and took away students’ belongings, majorly expensive phones and other gadgets.
The students said the assailants were armed with dangerous weapons, including guns and machetes.
Multiple sources also confirmed that at least two people were killed by the assailants during the invasion at a community close to the Under G area of the town.
“Right now, where I am is not safe at all. Last Monday, around 2 am, they robbed students. These Fulani people came to under G side. They robbed some hostels, including the hotels beside us. They robbed even the people lodged in that hotel night. And the hostel beside mine, they robbed them and three buildings that are inside that hostel,” one of the students told SaharaReporters.
She continued: “They only robbed the first and the second buildings. They collected phones and some other things. As they collected phones, they were also collecting passwords.
“And they beat people who did not want to release their phones, and when they left, they went to the back hostels. They even beat some people and they ended up in the hospital. I think two or more people died that day,” she added.
Another source said: “Fulani herdsmen came around a hostel close to the Stadium area in Ogbomoso last week. But fortunately, I was not in the hostel.
“Initially, they burgled our hostel but did not injure anybody. They only collected phones from people. But we heard they went to Under G area and killed someone. I don’t really have much information about that. But when they came to my hostel, I was not around. But the people who were around were robbed.”
SaharaReporters also observed that some netizens had posted about the incident on X (formerly Twitter).
An X user @Mars2rano wrote: “This situation is getting worse every day. Our campus is turning into a hub for criminal activity. We urgently need tightened security in school areas.
“To all security personnel, from the DPO of Police in Ogbomosho North, Adenike, Under G, Yoaco, which has become a hideout for armed robbers, we’re tired of this. Please help us secure our school areas. We can’t sleep anymore.”
In a video shared on X by Zainab, a student is heard narrating how his room was burgled by the assailants.
Zainab wrote: “Lautech students are getting robbed almost every day. Until they kill students?”
Another X user Salawu wrote; “Dear Gov @seyiamakinde The insecurity in Lautech Ogbomoso is alarming. Many students are being robbed of their valuable goods almost everyday.”
One of the students said: “The environment is now unbearable! To sleep at night is now hard for them. Please, kindly proffer solutions to the incessant menace.”
He added: “This is one of the victims of the robbery in Lautech Ogbomoso. Their hostel was raided by the thieves, and gadgets worth millions were carted away. The lives of the students are at risk. Kindly do something ASAP!!!”
The students informed SaharaReporters that Amotekun, a regional security outfit, has been briefed about the incidents.
However, during a conversation with SaharaReporters on Thursday morning, Amotekun spokesperson, Mrs Ayolola Adedoja said she was not aware of the incidents.
The Oyo Police Command could not be reached for comment. Adewale Osifeso, the command spokesperson, declined several calls on Thursday morning. He has also not responded to a message requesting his comment on the attacks.
