In a distressing incident at Ajayi Crowther University in Oyo State, a 300-level student from the Department of International Relations has reported being raped by two university sheriffs inside a classroom.
According to sources, the incident occurred on Thursday at approximately 7 pm when the victim and her boyfriend were present in the classroom. The university sheriffs allegedly entered the room and demanded N5,000 from the couple, who could only provide N1,500.
A close friend and hostel mate of the victim, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the sheriff sent the boyfriend away and, upon his return, the assault had already taken place.
The traumatized victim returned to the hostel in tears and shared her ordeal with her friends. Disturbingly, when they sought help at the medical center, they claimed the victim was subjected to blame and mistreatment. The victim’s distressed message described how she was being traumatized, blamed, and insulted, with derogatory comments about her character and future prospects.
In response, the university administration has taken immediate action. In an official press release posted on their official X page (previously known as Twitter), the Public Relations Officer of Ajayi Crowther University, Mr. Olufemi John Atoyebi, confirmed that the management was shocked by the report and promptly handed over the alleged perpetrators to the state police.
The university has also initiated an internal panel of inquiry to investigate the allegations thoroughly. The university’s management emphasized their commitment to maintaining their institution’s reputation and affirmed their zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct. They stated that severe penalties would be imposed on anyone found guilty after the thorough investigation.
Vanguard’s attempts to reach the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, SP Wale Osifeso, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address and prevent sexual violence within educational institutions. It is hoped that a thorough investigation will be conducted, and appropriate actions will be taken to ensure justice for the victim and to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
(Vanguard)