Imawaje, TASUED Students Fracas: University Management Speaks

The management of the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) has opened up on the recent clash between students of the institution and members of the Iwamaje community.

The clash which occurred on Sunday was a result of the killing of an alleged cultist who is a student of the institution.

In the aftermath of the killing, TASUED Students went on a rampage and in the cause of the clash, the house of the Baale of Iwamaje community and others were razed by fire.

In the statement signed by the university spokesperson, A. O. Odubela, the university officially informed the students' parents and guardians of the unrest.

Immediately after news of the violent altercation broke, the school Registrar Dapo Oke announced a temporary closedown of the institution to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

"Management wishes to inform the General Public, Parents, and Guardians of the recent incidence of Student unrest which took place on Sunday, May 28, 2023, at Imaweje.

"Information at the disposal of the University are as follows:

"The University Management received reports of a clash between some unknown persons suspected to be Cultists and some members of the Imaweje Community.

"Imaweje Community has allegedly been experiencing nefarious activities by some unidentified persons such as rape, snatching of phones, etc particularly late in the evenings and at night in particular. 

"To safeguard lives and properties, the Iwameje Community and other host Communities set up a Vigilante outfit to curb all incidences of rape, snatching of phones, and most importantly Cultism. 

"According to information at the disposal of the University, the Iwameje Community in order to root out these nefarious activities, cultism, and other social vices intensified their efforts through the Community Vigilante.

This did not go down well with this unidentified group which subsequently attacked the Baale's son.

"The Community intensified their efforts to patrol and on Friday 26th, May 2023 around midnight, an arrest was made, upon searching the alleged suspect's residence various weapons were said to have been discovered in his possession. 

"In the course of the interrogation, the suspect gave up the ghost. The suspect has since been identified as a 300 level Student of the University. 

"In a reprisal attack, suspected members of his group, upon learning of his death, incited the student populace thus turning the issue into; Student versus Community clash.

"This led to the burning of the house of the Baale and two other Chiefs in the community.

"The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwole Banjo, swiftly shut down the campus to douse tension and in compliance with extant rules and regulations immediately called for an emergency Senate meeting slated for Tuesday, 30th May 2023.

"The Management uses this medium to implore all Students to remain calm as efforts are being taken to get to the root of the issue, as no stone would be left unturned. 

"The University has already contacted the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure the restoration of peace and order.

"The University condemn in strongest terms the death of the alleged cultist in the hands of the Vigilante and condoles with the family of the deceased and wishes to state clearly that the safety and well-being of our Students remain of topmost priority. 

"Parents and Guardians are enjoined to ensure that their wards are recalled back home safely and stay at home until the University is re-opened."