A distressing incident has been reported at Ajayi Crowther University in Oyo State, where a 300-level student from the Department of International Relations was allegedly raped by two university sheriffs inside a classroom.
According to sources, the student and her boyfriend were in class around 7 pm when the university sheriffs entered and demanded N5,000. Unable to provide the full amount, they only had N1,500. The boyfriend was then sent away by the sheriffs, leaving the victim alone, vulnerable, and defenceless.
A close friend and hostel mate of the victim, who spoke on condition of strict anonymity, disclosed to Vanguard that the victim returned to the hostel in tears, revealing the horrific ordeal she had endured. The friend recounted how the victim was raped by the two sheriffs in the classroom after her boyfriend had been sent away.
The friend further shared that the victim is currently grappling with depression, exacerbated by the insensitive treatment she received at the university’s medical centre, where she was blamed and subjected to further trauma.
In response to the incident, the university management has taken swift action, initiating an investigation. A press release from the university’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Olufemi John Atoyebi, confirmed that the suspects had been handed over to the state police, and an internal panel of inquiry has been set up to investigate the allegation. The university reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe and conducive environment for all students and assured stakeholders that appropriate measures would be taken.
Efforts to reach the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, SP Wale Osifeso, for further comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. However, it is evident that the university and law enforcement authorities are taking the matter seriously and are committed to ensuring the victim’s justice.
