Ogun Poly Students Protest Classmate’s Killing, Demand Improved Security

Students of ICT D.S. Adegbenro Polytechnic in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State on Tuesday staged a protest following the killing of a Higher National Diploma (HND) II Marketing student during an armed robbery attack in the Eruku area of the institution.

The protesters blocked the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, causing a major traffic gridlock and leaving commuters and motorists stranded for several hours.

The students alleged that robberies have become frequent along routes leading to and from the institution, calling on the Ogun State Government and security agencies to improve security around the campus urgently.

According to the protesters, the overnight attack claimed the life of a female final-year student, while several other students sustained injuries and are receiving treatment in hospital.

They lamented that repeated appeals for enhanced security in the area had yielded little or no response.

In response to the incident, the institution postponed examinations scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, and Wednesday, July 29.

In a statement signed by the chairman of the Timetable, Examination and Academic Calendar Committee, Gideon Adekunle, the polytechnic said the decision was taken to honour the deceased and allow affected students to recover from the trauma.

“Following an unfortunate event that occurred overnight, which resulted in the loss of a student and another terribly injured in a robbery incident at Eruku, the exams scheduled for today, Tuesday, July 28, and tomorrow, Wednesday, July 29, are hereby postponed,” the statement read.

“This is to make sure students in the affected area are able to regain their composure and mental stability, and most importantly, in honour of the deceased.

“Examinations will continue on Friday, July 30, 2026, as scheduled, while a new timetable for the postponed examinations will be communicated in due course.”

The Students’ Union Government President, Comrade Owoigbe Blessing, described the attack as another tragic consequence of the persistent insecurity around the institution.

“It happened around midnight. One of the final-year HND II Marketing students was killed, another female student was injured after her ear was cut, while another male student was shot and is currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre,” she said.

“We need the full support of the government. There is no security. If there was adequate security, this wouldn’t have happened. This is not the first, second or even third time such an incident has occurred in Eruku.”

The chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Ogun State, Comrade Olabode Faruq Success, also condemned the rising insecurity around tertiary institutions in the state.

He urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to strengthen security across campuses and surrounding communities, stressing that no student should lose their life while pursuing an education.

“The rate of insecurity on our campuses is increasing daily. This is happening across institutions in Ogun State, and we are calling on the governor and security agencies to put an end to it,” he said.

He called for the establishment of permanent police patrol units and the deployment of local vigilantes to campuses and nearby hostels.

“This hostel that was attacked is just behind the school,” he added.

The Ogun State Police Command confirmed that officers had been deployed to the area.

Police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said security personnel were engaging with the protesters and described the demonstration as peaceful.

“Our officers are present and speaking with the students. I can confirm the protest is peaceful,” he said.