UNILORIN Students Attacked by Armed Robbers in Off-Campus Hostels, One Injured, Valuables Stolen

A wave of panic swept through the Oke Odo area of Ilorin, Kwara State, after armed robbers stormed multiple off-campus hostels occupied by students of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) late Friday night. 

The gunmen, who arrived on foot, reportedly attacked several rooms, assaulted a student, and made away with valuables including phones, laptops, and cash. 

According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants moved through two hostels, locking victims in their rooms after robbing them at gunpoint. 

One male visitor, who was not a student, was held at gunpoint and forced to surrender his belongings. 

Another student who resisted was viciously attacked with a cutlass, sustaining injuries to his head and body. 

“The robbers targeted three rooms and left out the only female in the building. They were armed and aggressive. 

One guy tried to struggle with them and got brutally assaulted. We heard him screaming for help, but no one could come out because the robbers were firing shots,” one student recounted anonymously to Legit.ng, fearing retaliation. 

The attackers reportedly escaped quickly after locking the victims inside. One of the students managed to break a window with a cutlass, allowing the others to escape and seek help. 

“They couldn’t steal TVs or generators because they came on foot, which probably helped them flee faster,” the student added. 

A Good Samaritan in the neighborhood helped transport the injured student to the hospital. As of Sunday evening, he was said to be in stable condition. 

“He’s a fighter. We’re optimistic he’ll recover soon,” a fellow student said. 

Growing Concern Over Campus Security This incident has heightened concerns among UNILORIN students about their safety, especially those living off-campus. 

Calls are mounting for increased security presence in Oke Odo and similar student-heavy neighborhoods. 

The attack follows a similar robbery last week targeting Kwara State University (KWASU) students in Malete. 

In response, KWASU authorities enforced strict nighttime curfews, banned motorcycle operations after 10:00 p.m., and prohibited night parties indefinitely. 

UNILORIN students are urging law enforcement agencies and community leaders to take similar steps to prevent further attacks.