By Gbayesola Samuel

In light of the ongoing security concerns in the nation, especially in Oyo State, ranging from reported cases of abduction and alleged cult clashes to the spread of rumours and false information within the student community, IndyPress spoke with some Univerity of Ibadan students living off campus. They shared their experiences and concerns about security, particularly in Agbowo and surrounding areas, compared to the perception often associated with student-dominated communities.

While accommodation challenges remain a major reason many students relocate off campus, others are drawn by the privacy, flexibility, and independence that off-campus living offers. For some students, however, living outside the university was not entirely a matter of choice.

Adekoleoye Mercy, a 300-level student in the Faculty of Science, highlighted the reason she chose to live off campus.

“I chose to live off-campus because I had some challenges with the hostel during my 100 level. Issues like staying in a 7-storey building and constantly going up and down were stressful for me. Also, the stove restrictions in the hostel made things difficult.”

Similarly, Glory Job, a 400-level student of European Studies in the Faculty of Arts, explained that accommodation challenges influenced her decision.

“I decided to live off-campus because of accommodation issues. I would have preferred to stay on campus, but sometimes the female hostels do not provide accommodation for stalites. So, I had to move off-campus when I was in the 300 level.”

For Akambi-Lawal, a 400-level student in the Department of Biomedical Science (BMLS), Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, the experience was different, as he was unable to secure accommodation despite paying for it in his 300 level.

“I chose to live off-campus because I could not get accommodation in my hall of residence. In my 100 level, I was unable to secure accommodation due to some issues, including late registration. In level 200, I got accommodation after meeting with the hall warden and resolving some issues.”

“At 300 level, I was unable to get accommodation again, even though I had paid my hall fee and other required fees. I was supposed to be refunded, but I have not yet received the refund and will be processing it this week. In 400 level, I applied for accommodation, but my portal did not reflect my accommodation details.”

Although many students share similar reasons for choosing to live off campus, their experiences are not entirely the same. While some relocate because they are unable to secure accommodation in their halls of residence, others make a deliberate choice based on lifestyle preferences.

Wisdom, a 300-level student, said privacy and personal space were among the reasons he preferred living off campus.

“When I was admitted in my first year, a senior advised me to live off-campus from the start, as it might be difficult to secure a hostel spot in later years. Additionally, as someone who values privacy and personal space, off-campus living suited me better.”

Security Realities Faced by Students Living Off Campus

Living off campus presents students with a different experience from life within the university environment. While some residents describe their communities as relatively peaceful, others say concerns about theft, rumours of cult-related activities, and restrictions on movement have become part of daily life. Their experiences reveal varying perceptions of security across student-populated areas such as Agbowo, orogun to Barika.

Speaking with IndyPress, Mercy described the current security situation in Agbowo as relatively mild, noting that many concerns are often fuelled by rumours.

“The major security issues students living in Agbowo and similar off-campus areas face are rumors of cult-related activities and theft cases.”

She added that she has not personally experienced such incidents.

Sharing similar concerns, Wisdom and Glory described the security situation as alarming, noting that rumours circulating across various off-campus groups often amplify fears.

“Regarding recent security incidents, there was a broadcast circulating last week advising people in Agbowo to stay indoors due to fighting in the area. At first, we dismissed it as a minor dispute among touts, perhaps over football. However, around 11:00 PM, we began hearing sounds that resembled gunshots or fireworks.”

“Since it was far from my location, I couldn’t pinpoint the exact source, but the intensity was alarming. Some of my friends even messaged me, warning me to stay inside. That was the most notable security incident I’ve observed lately,” Wisdom noted.

For Glory, the major security concerns facing students living in Agbowo and similar off-campus areas include restricted freedom of movement and theft.

“For me, these are the major insecurity issues students face while living off-campus. In off-campus areas, such as Agbowo, if you are not very conscious or smart while walking on the road, even the bikes can push you off the road. I feel that was the first level of insecurity I discovered. Unlike when I was staying on campus, there is a sense of freedom where you know you can walk on the road and nothing will happen to you.”

She further explained that if students do not take precautions while moving around the area, they may become vulnerable to theft.

“It has never happened to me personally, but I have heard of cases where someone was blocked, threatened with a cutlass, and had her phone and laptop collected.”

Wisdom described this as a recurring issue, attributing it to what he called the sense of entitlement some area boys display whenever they encounter students carrying bags.

“Another issue is the entitlement of some local individuals (tout). It is common to see students being followed and harassed for money. However, until last week, I hadn’t noticed any robberies or shootings. For the most part, Agbowo remains relatively safe, with the main concern being the local touts.”

He added:

“The current situation in Agbowo is not ideal, but it is certainly not the worst. I haven’t personally witnessed any killings. The most severe incident I recall was during my first year when a clash between rival cultists resulted in casualties and retaliations. Currently, however, Agbowo is fairly peaceful.”

Offering a different perspective, Akambi-Lawal, who resides in Barika, described the security situation in his area as relatively stable.

“The last case of theft or insecurity-related activity that I heard about was sometime last year. Therefore, I can confidently say that the insecurity level in Barika is relatively low, perhaps around 10 to 20 percent. This is because we have security guards, streetlights, and other security measures in place. Overall, the situation in my area is still quite bearable.”

However, he argued that the reality in Agbowo appears more concerning, recalling incidents experienced by some of his friends who live in the deeper parts of the community.

“I have friends who live in the deeper parts of Agbowo and others who stay in Orogun. Some time ago, one of my female friends had her apartment burgled, and her phone was stolen. From my perception, the deeper parts of Agbowo tend to have more area boys, touts, and hooligans, which may contribute to the frequent security incidents reported there.”

He also pointed to poor lighting as a factor contributing to security concerns.

“Barika feels safer to me. Even during power outages, most shops and streetlights operate on solar energy, so the area remains relatively well-lit. Many of the inner streets and shortcuts in Agbowo are often dark, especially at night. Even when they are not dark, the high population density increases the likelihood of security risks.”

Beyond concerns about theft and occasional reports of violence, another issue repeatedly mentioned by students was the spread of unverified security alerts. In recent months, messages warning residents to stay indoors have frequently circulated across student WhatsApp groups and other online platforms, often creating anxiety and uncertainty among residents.

While some students believe such alerts serve as precautionary warnings, others argue that the rapid circulation of unverified information has made it increasingly difficult to distinguish genuine threats from rumours. As a result, fear itself has become a significant part of how many students experience security in off-campus communities.

The atmosphere created by these recurring security concerns has also influenced students’ daily routines. Although there is no official curfew in most off-campus communities, many residents say they have adopted self-imposed restrictions on movement, particularly at night.

Mercy noted that there are certain periods, especially at night, when students are generally advised to remain indoors for safety reasons.

Wisdom made a similar observation while describing the security situation in Agbowo.

“While there is no official curfew, people are advised to stay indoors by 11:00 PM. Beyond that time, being outside alone can compromise your safety. I would say the effective curfew here is 11:00 PM. Even when returning around midnight, security personnel often ask if your specific area is safe. Therefore, the practical curfew in the Agbowo area is 11:00 PM.”

According to Akambi-Lawal, many communities and residential streets have informal regulations regarding movement at night. He explained that access is often restricted between approximately 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., although the exact timing varies from one area to another.

In communities such as Agbowo and other student-populated areas, security concerns are often compounded by the absence of the structured regulations and oversight that exist within the university environment.

“I believe both individual and community-based security measures are important. While many safety practices depend on personal responsibility, continued efforts to improve security infrastructure, lighting, and community vigilance would help make off-campus environments safer for students,” Akambi added.

While students described varying experiences of safety across off-campus communities, a recurring concern throughout the interviews was the role of misinformation in shaping perceptions of insecurity. Several respondents referenced security alerts and warnings that circulated within student networks, sometimes creating uncertainty about the actual level of threat in their communities.

These concerns were also echoed by security authorities, who cautioned against the spread of unverified information and urged residents to rely on credible channels when reporting security incidents.

Police Warn Against False Security Alarms 

Speaking with IndyPress, the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, Mr. Ayanlade, recalled a previous incident that generated widespread concern within the community but was later discovered to be a false alarm.

He then stated that, “We can not keep spreading rumours and heighten tension that are not there.”  This Mr Ayanlade said while noting that false alarms could lead to the unnecessary deployment of limited security resources.

Also Read: Oyo Police Dismiss Reports of Cult Clash in Agbowo

Efforts to obtain his comment on the security level of Agbowo and other related areas were unsuccessul as he is yet to respond to the message sent.

University Security Officials React 

Speaking with IndyPress, the Chief Security Officer of the Campus Security Network (Abefele) emphasized the university’s commitment to student safety.

“The safety of our students is paramount to us but anything that happens outside the university is beyond us,”

he said, while explaining that incidents occurring beyond the university premises fall within the jurisdiction of the police.

Also present at the interview, Mr. Abel urged students to verify information before sharing it.

“Students should rely on security reports internally, confirm the genuinity of the reports before disseminating it within their territories. Also the UI security agency has very good cooperation with the police. Anytime we call them, they always respond. The way the police will respond to UI security agents might not be the way they’ll respond to students’ calls.”

He further noted that students residing on campus enjoy greater freedom of movement than their counterparts living off campus.

“Also as formerly explained during the matriculation, student living within the campus have some liberty compared to those living outside, therefore students living outside must stay within their security limits and rules and regulations in their area because in fact in UI, even at 3am, students safety are still guaranteed but outside the campus, it’s not a simple task.”

Although experiences differ from one community to another, the accounts shared by students suggest that life off campus is shaped by a combination of genuine security concerns, persistent rumours, and the everyday precautions residents take to protect themselves. While authorities continue to urge caution against misinformation, many students remain dependent on personal vigilance and community awareness as they navigate life beyond the university gates.

Beyond security concerns, challenges such as irregular electricity supply, poor sanitation facilities, and exploitation by house agents remain recurring realities for many students living off campus.

Shelter or Struggle?: The Reality of Off-campus Living for UI Students 

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