Students of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, have adopted strict movement restrictions, including a curfew and limitations on commercial motorcycles, following a surge in armed robbery attacks on hostels around the campus.
The measures were part of resolutions reached at an emergency stakeholders’ meeting involving the Students’ Union Government, the university’s security committee, and state-backed security operatives.
This was disclosed in a statement jointly signed by the EKSU Students’ Union President, Osunyomi Hezekiah, and the General Secretary, Ojotu Olamipo on Wednesday .
According to the union, the new directives are aimed at improving monitoring of movement and curbing criminal activities in affected areas such as Satellite, Phase 2, UBA and Osekita.
“To facilitate better monitoring of movement and identify suspicious actors, the following rules are now in effect,” the statement read.
Under the new protocols, commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada, are restricted to operating between 6:00am and 6:00pm.
“Commercial Okada operations are permitted only between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Any Okada spotted after 6:00 PM will be permanently banned from the school and its environs,” it stated.
The union also placed restrictions on students’ movement at night, introducing a curfew across affected areas.
“A total restriction on all movement is in effect from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM,” the statement added.
It further directed that tricycles would serve as the only means of transportation during limited evening hours.
“Tricycles will operate from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM in designated residential areas,” it noted.
As part of enforcement measures, commercial riders are to be profiled and issued identification jackets, while those without number plates would be arrested.
“Any motorcycle operating without a visible plate number will be arrested immediately,” the union said.
The directive also mandates students to carry valid identification at all times for verification.
“All students must carry their school ID cards at all times. If stopped by security, you may be required to log into your student portal for immediate identity verification,” it added.
To address environmental vulnerabilities, hostel owners were instructed to install solar lighting to eliminate dark spots exploited by criminals.
“All hostel owners are mandated to provide solar lights around their buildings to eliminate ‘dark zones’ used by criminals. This must be completed by the end of April,” the statement said.
The union noted that additional measures, including the provision of transformers and profiling of security guards, were underway to strengthen safety.
It also urged students to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
“Students are urged to report any suspicious activities promptly… Your safety remains our top priority,” it stated.
The development follows growing concerns over repeated robbery attacks on off-campus hostels, which have disrupted academic activities and heightened fear among students.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the Ekiti State Police Command arrested a suspect in connection with the attacks, recovering items believed to have been used in the operations.
Witnesses said the attackers had moved from one hostel to another, robbing students of phones, laptops and cash, forcing many to flee for safety.
