Pandemonium broke on Sunday when students of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State, engaged residents of the host community in a bloody clash over murder of one of their colleagues.
They set at least four houses ablaze, including that of the village head.
Already, the management of the university had announced the closure of the school and asked students to return home until peace is restored.
Locals told Daily Trust that the crisis started on Friday but escalated Sunday.
‘Maltreatment’: Yewa indigenes Storm Ogun Governor’s office
Ogun Assembly workers begin strike over salary, shut down House
It was gathered that violence broke out in Imaweje community around Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, when an unnamed 300 level student was reportedly killed in the community.
Members of community allegedly bounced on the student who was accused of being a cultist and he later died.
And when news reportedly filtered into the school, students angered by the development launched a reprisal and stormed the community.
They reportedly invaded the community leader of the place, set his house ablaze while other chiefs houses were also torched .
The community leaders were said to have fled while the students that lived in the community were said to have also deserted their houses .
A resident who spoke with our correspondent confirmed the attack on the community leaders, saying, the whole community has been deserted .
The source said ” the crisis started since Friday but, was escalated today (Sunday).
“He was beaten by the community people for being a cultist . He was left after he was beaten, but, when he was taken to the hospital, he was alter pronounced dead.
“So, the students became angry and went on rampage to the extent of setting ablaze the building belonging to the base of the community and other houses which served as students’ hostel.
“As at the last count , four houses have been set ablaze .
“No death recorded apart from the student . And the whole place has been deserted .”
When contacted, the Police Spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi pleaded for some times to get detail of the incident.
Meanwhile, the management of the institution has announced the closure of the school and asked the students to go home till peace would be restored .
The registrar of the institution ,Dapo Oke while confirming the incident ,said there was a clash between some students living in Imaweje community ,around the school and the residents of the community .
He said “following the recent clash between students and members of the University Host Community in the early hours of today (Sunday), particularly, the Iwameje, community which led to the eruption of violence, the University Management hereby announces the closing down of the University.
“In the meantime, Parents and Guardians are hereby advised to recall their wards particularly those living in and around Iwameje back home immediately.
“Efforts are being made with law enforcement agents to restore peace and order in the community affected.”
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
