Governor Imposes Restrictions On Community Over Rápe, R0bbery Of Varsity Students

Under the new security framework, commercial motorcycles (okada) operations are banned from 10pm daily, while all commercial activities and general movement must cease by 11pm.

The Kwara State government has imposed movement and activity restrictions in the Malete community following an alarming rise in cases of rape, armed robbery, and other attacks targeting students of the Kwara State University (KWASU) and residents.

SaharaReporters learnt that the decision was reached at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened by the university management on Monday, June 23, 2025.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders including the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Alade Jimoh; the Chairperson of the Moro Local Government Council, Hajia Mariam Abdulwasiu; traditional rulers; councillors; security agencies; student union representatives; and members of the alumni association.

Under the new security framework, commercial motorcycles (okada) operations are banned from 10pm daily, while all commercial activities and general movement must cease by 11pm.

The use of generator sets is to stop by 12 midnight, and all night parties in the community are prohibited until further notice.

The Ag. Director, University Relations of KWASU, Dr. Saeedat Aliyu, who made this known in a statement issued after the meeting said, “These measures are part of a broader initiative to restore safety in the university town, which has witnessed a disturbing rise in violent attacks on students and other residents in recent months.”

Aliyu said that additional decisions taken at the meeting include the establishment of a joint security committee comprising representatives of KWASU management, the student union, the Malete community, and security agencies.

According to him, all private hostels in Malete are now required to engage private security personnel, while professional vigilantes will be employed to bolster existing security forces.

He said the KWASU Vice-Chancellor emphasised that the safety of students and residents remains the top priority of the university.

The VC called on the community to remain vigilant and proactive in supporting security agencies by reporting suspicious movements and activities.

Jimoh said the school management would take every lawful measure to ensure that the students are protected and can live in a safe and conducive environment.

Also, the Chairperson of the Moro Local Government Council, Hajia Mariam Abdulwasiu, commended KWASU’s leadership for taking a firm stand against the growing insecurity.

Abdulwasiu revealed that the council will begin the legal process to enact a bylaw formalising the agreed-upon restrictions.

To reinforce the security measures, the council pledged to hire an additional ten vigilantes and provide them with essential security gadgets.

Furthermore, she announced that a new transformer would be donated to boost electricity supply in the community, and gates would be installed at entry points to regulate nocturnal movement.

In a show of support to recent victims, the council also donated N1million to aid their recovery and rehabilitation.

The statement noted that the new regulations take immediate effect as authorities and stakeholders rally to halt the wave of violent crimes that have plagued the student-dominated community.

Malete is home to the main campus of KWASU and has witnessed growing security concerns in recent times.

The town has seen increased population pressure, with corresponding rises in crime rates.

The University authorities and community leaders have in the past raised alarms over the absence of adequate law enforcement and night-time security, prompting the latest coordinated response.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that students of the university raised the alarm that they were living in fear following a fresh wave of violent armed robbery attacks on off-campus hostels, with reports of rape, serious injuries, and mass theft of valuables.

The latest spate of attacks occurred over the weekend and targeted hostels in Safari, West End, and other residential areas outside the university premises.

According to students who spoke to SaharaReporters, the assailants, suspected to be locals including commercial motorcyclists and Fulani youths in the area, have been breaking into hostels at night, stealing, assaulting, and in some cases, raping female students.