Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, are moving out in droves from their hostels.

Reasons: ‘deplorable’ state of the hostels and what they called “creeping state of insecurity”.

In the past, the institution had a reputation as one of the most peaceful universities nationwide.

It has a history of zero tolerance for cultism and related activities.

There have been cases of kidnapping and ritual killings, though outside the university. Last month, the university received a note from a group of cultists who promised to unleash mayhem on the 57-year-old institution.

The last time such dastardly act occurred was 20 years ago, when the then general-secretary of the Students’ Union George Akinyemi Iwilade, fondly called Afrika, was killed alongside four others at the Obafemi Awolowo Hall of the institution.

The letter caused panic on campus. Some students scanned and shared it on their mobile phones.

The university also swung into action and arrested some suspects.

In a statement, the university said the cultists’ planned attack was foiled by its security unit which apprehended and handed over the suspects to the police.

“Obafemi Awolowo University has zero tolerance for cultism. No cultist can thrive on this campus. As far as we are concerned, when students are admitted on the first day in this university, they swear an oath of allegiance not to get involved in cultism, otherwise they are rusticated. Those who came here have been arrested and the police are handling the case,” Dean of Students Affairs Prof Ishiaq Aransiola told CAMPUSLIFE.

Yet, this reassurance did not stem the fear of many. Some students fled thier various hostels to live in town.

Two years ago, the management proscribed the Students’ Union over what it described as excesses and lack of leadership traits by the students’ body. The management has since insisted that it will not lift the ban until it sees a “refined students” body that is desirous of constructive dialogue. At present, only presidents of the various faculties manage students’ affairs.

•Excerpted from a report by The Nation.

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