A student of The Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State, simply identified as Blessing, has shared how fear has become part of daily life for students due to rising insecurity around the school environment.
“We are not safe here. We are living our lives 50-50 because anything can happen at any time,” she said.
Her words reflect the growing fear among thousands of students who now see personal safety—not textbooks or gadgets—as their biggest concern.
For many undergraduates in Ogun State, going to school now comes with constant worry about armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, and violent attacks that have become more frequent in student communities.
Reports show that places once seen as peaceful learning environments are now being affected by criminal groups who target students and their belongings.
Blessing explained that even basic safety habits like locking doors or avoiding late nights no longer feel enough.
According to her, criminals now use clever and dangerous tricks to attack students inside their hostels.
She said, “Sometimes they go to one room, force the person out, and make them knock on another door so they can trap more people.”
She also recalled a recent robbery incident in Ipara where residents could only listen helplessly as criminals operated at night, while victims were unable to get help due to fear.
In another case, she said armed robbers invaded a home, threatened a mother and her child with a gun, and forced them to transfer money before taking away their phone.
Meanwhile, insecurity in the area has continued to affect students across different institutions. In one recent incident, five students of the same polytechnic were kidnapped while returning from a restaurant along the Isara-Ode road.
The students reportedly stopped when men they mistook for security personnel flagged them down, only to be taken away by armed kidnappers.
Communities like Isara, Ipara, and Ode Remo have all been mentioned in several cases linked to student attacks.
Records also show that the institution has suffered repeated security challenges over the years, including robbery attacks that have led to deaths, injuries, and cases of sexual violence.
Students have in the past staged protests over killings and repeated attacks, calling on authorities to take urgent action to protect them.
Other campuses in Ogun State have also experienced similar situations. At the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) Ibogun campus, students have reportedly faced repeated armed robbery attacks, with criminals invading hostels and stealing valuables such as phones, laptops, and even cars.
In some cases, gunmen were said to have operated for hours before escaping.
At Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, there have also been disturbing reports of robbery and sexual assault incidents in surrounding student communities over the years.
Security stakeholders, including government officials and community leaders, have repeatedly promised stronger protection measures, while police authorities say they are intensifying patrols, intelligence gathering, and rapid response operations to improve safety around campuses.
Despite these efforts, many students say fear still dominates their daily lives, with calls growing louder for lasting solutions to protect lives and restore peace in academic communities across Ogun State.