…Students cry out for help
By Ajewole Joshua
A wave of fear and unrest has gripped the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, following a disturbing rise in armed robberies and kidnapping incidents affecting students both on and off campus. The atmosphere in the institution, once known for relative peace and academic excellence, has turned tense as students now live in daily fear for their safety.
ABNews gathered that many students have taken to social media platforms like Twitter to voice their distress, pleading with the Kwara State Government and security agencies to intervene urgently. According to several anonymous sources within the campus, some students have resorted to purchasing cutlasses and other makeshift weapons as a form of self-defense, while others are considering abandoning their studies or relocating to Ilorin to avoid the insecurity in Malete.
One concerned student who spoke anonymously said, “If I were to advise any aspirant — even my own brother or sister — I’d tell them not to choose KWASU. It’s not the same school anymore. If you must choose it, stay in Ilorin and come for lectures from there.”
He lamented the fading legacy of the university’s past leadership, saying, “Things weren’t always like this. We had structure and direction during the tenure of Professor Na’Allah and the late Professor Akanbi. What we see now is a shadow of what KWASU used to be.”
Aside from the security lapses, concerns are also mounting about alleged administrative mismanagement within the institution, adding to the frustrations of students who feel abandoned by both the school management and their Students’ Union representatives.
In a widely shared campus message obtained by ABNews and credited to CAMPUS REPORT VISION MEDIA, students were warned against taking extreme self-defense measures that could endanger their lives or academic future. The message reads in part:
“To everyone considering self-defense… please, be careful. Don’t harm anyone, and don’t put your life at risk. If you lose your life today, the school will continue without you. Ask yourself — if you take someone’s life in self-defense, will you still be allowed to remain in school?”
It further urged students to be security conscious and realistic in their expectations from the Students’ Union.
“Some of you are angry at the SU President, but remember, he is also a student like you. He was not even elected but selected, so his powers are limited. He may be working behind the scenes even if you don’t see it.”
The deteriorating state of security has now prompted many to call on Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to take swift and decisive action. A growing number of students are using hashtags on social media such as #SaveKWASU and #SecureMaleteNow to draw national attention to their plight.
As of press time, no official statement had been released by the school’s management regarding the recent security breaches. Meanwhile, students are being urged to stay vigilant, avoid isolated areas, and report any suspicious movements to local authorities.
Kwara State University, once considered one of the fastest-growing and safest tertiary institutions in the country, now finds itself at a crossroads — one that demands urgent attention, leadership, and a sustainable solution to restore its lost peace and reputation.
