The Alumni Association of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, has condemned the spate of killings of students of the university, describing the act as unfortunate and unacceptable.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, O’Seun Ogunsakin, on Friday, the group condemned in strong terms the recent killings of three undergraduates in quick succession by suspects who are indigenes of the host community.
The alumni body demanded immediate attention and action from appropriate authorities, including the Ondo State Government, all security agencies, particularly the police and Department of State Security, and the traditional ruler of the town, to curb the killings.
“We are appalled and deeply saddened by the recent killing of three promising students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba; of which the latest victim is a hardworking final year student and PoS operator.”
“The brutal killing of these students by indigenes of Akungba-Akoko underlines a disturbing pattern of extortion and hostility being experienced by AAUA students in the host community.
“These dangerous predilections which have culminated in the cold-blooded murder of AAUA students demand immediate and concrete attention and action from all the critical stakeholders, especially the government of Ondo State, the Police and the host community,” the group stated.
It added the parents, as well as the larger society had a right to expect relative safety and security for all students, regardless of their background or circumstances.
The group said it was disheartening that the once peaceful community was becoming a den of criminals and unsafe for students, warning that if the town fails to caution its members against criminal behaviors, Akungba might return to the pre-university days.
The AAUA alumni further called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to be more committed to the University by prioritising on-campus hostel facilities.
It noted that the construction of new hostels and completion of abandoned hostel projects on the university campus should become an actionable priority.
