Lawmakers at the Ondo State House of Assembly have strongly condemned the recent killings of students from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), allegedly carried out by suspected criminals within the university’s host community.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that at least three AAUA students were recently murdered under varying circumstances, triggering alarm and mourning within the university and surrounding areas.
Raising the issue during Tuesday’s plenary under matters of urgent public importance, the lawmakers unanimously called on the Akungba community to rise against the perpetrators and safeguard the peace and integrity of their environment.
A Call for Justice and Security Reform
Hon. Tope Agbulu (Akoko South-West II – PDP), an indigene of the host community, described the spate of killings as heartbreaking, noting that the once peaceful, student-friendly town of Akungba had become increasingly unsafe.
“Akungba-Akoko, historically a welcoming community for students, is now witnessing a disturbing rise in violent attacks by criminal elements. These incidents are creating fear, tension, and could spiral into retaliatory violence or mass student exodus,” he warned.
Agbulu emphasised that the actions of the criminals did not reflect the values of the Akungba people, but the damage to the town’s image and the university’s safety reputation was already significant. He called for a full-scale investigation and prosecution of the culprits.
“The Assembly must condemn these heinous acts in the strongest terms. We must demand justice and restore confidence in Akungba as a haven for learning—not a theatre of bloodshed,” he said.
Legislative Recommendations and Community Involvement
Deputy Speaker Ololade Gbegudu (Okitipupa I – APC) recommended that the House Committee on Security be dispatched to the community for a fact-finding mission. He also suggested sensitisation campaigns targeting parents and guardians on how to guide their wards on acceptable conduct within and around the campus.
Dr. Chris Ogunlana (Irele – APC) urged traditional rulers and community elders to invoke cultural and spiritual sanctions against those behind the crimes, arguing that such ancestral deterrents could play a role in restoring peace.
“The time has come for traditional custodians to rise and place ancestral curses on the criminals. The community must take spiritual and cultural steps to protect these innocent students,” Ogunlana stated.
Hon. Stephen Abitogun (Akure South II – APC) added that the killings had stained the reputation of the university’s host community. He urged all stakeholders to reject this trend and take proactive measures to prevent future incidents.
Assembly Resolutions and Further Legislative Action
Speaker Olamide Oladiji, who presided over the plenary, directed the House Committee on Security to visit the university and host community immediately. He also called on the Ondo State Ministry of Women Affairs to roll out student-focused orientation and awareness campaigns.
The Speaker urged the state government to collaborate with the university authorities and community leaders to establish a dedicated campus security task force, aimed at improving surveillance and response to security threats.
“Security agencies must act swiftly. We call for a thorough investigation and prosecution of all those involved. Education must never be sacrificed at the altar of violence,” Oladiji concluded.
Meanwhile, the Assembly has also referred the bill to establish the Ondo State Coastal Agency to the House Committee on Transport and Public Utility for further legislative work.
