By ALABA OLUSOLA OKE

Lawmakers of the Ondo State House of Assembly have decried the incessant killings of students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) by some suspected criminals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that three students of AAUA were recently killed in different circumstances by some indigenes of the university?s host community.

The lawmakers, who spoke at the plenary on Tuesday under matter of urgent public importance, unanimously asked the university hosts community to rise up against criminal elements in the community.

Speaking, Mr Tope Agbulu (Akoko South-West 2 -PDP), said that the recent killings had thrown the entire community into mourning.

Agbulu, who is an indigene of the university?s host community, said the heart-breaking incidents created an atmosphere of fear and tension among students and residents.

?The town of Akungba-Akoko, known historically as a student-friendly community, has recently seen a disturbing shift in dynamics, as criminal and violent elements among a few indigenes are now targeting students.

?The security lapses in the area are becoming increasingly evident.

?If not promptly addressed, these incidents risk escalating into a larger crisis involving retaliatory actions, fear-induced migration of students, and a general breakdown of peace in the area,? he said.

According to him, the perpetrators do not represent the good people of Akungba, but their actions have cast a dark shadow on the image and safety of the community.

The lawmaker urgently appealed to the state government, police and other relevant security agencies to launch a full-scale investigation into the killings and bring culprits to book.

Agbulu appealed to the Assembly to condemn the heinous acts, demand justice and ensure that Akungba remained a safe haven for education, ?not a theatre of bloodshed.?

Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Ololade Gbegudu (Okitipupa 1-APC), suggested that the House Committee on Security should visit the community.

He said there was need to sensitise parents so that they could educate their children and wards on ways to behave on campus and its host community.

Similarly, Dr Chris Ogunlana (Irele-APC) advised the traditional ruler and other leaders in the community to caution their people and invoke spiritual incantation on perpetrators of the heinous crimes.

Ogunlana added that it was incumbent upon the community to rise up and place curse on the perpetrators so that students could be saved.

In his contribution, Mr Stephen Abitogun (Akure South 2-APC) noted that the killings had brought disrepute to the university?s host community.

Abitogun urged the community to come together and reject the trend, stating the need for relevant bodies to sensitise the people and take proactive measures in preventing similar occurrence.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Olamide Oladiji, asked the House Committee on Security to visit the university and its host community.

Oladiji, who read the resolution of the Whole House on the matter, asked the state?s Ministry of Women Affairs to come up with sensitisation and orientation that would be of help to the students.

He enjoined the state government to facilitate the establishment of a dedicated campus security taskforce in collaboration with the university management and community leaders.

According to him, the security should launch a full scale investigation into the killings and bring all the culprits to justice.

The Assembly also committed the bill to establish the Ondo State Coastal Agency to the House Committee on Transport and Public Utility. (NAN)

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