Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo state, is not sieged by attacks from Fulani herdsmen or any group, it has been clarified.
News media were awash Thursday with reports of Fulani attacks on students in parts of their residential areas scattered all around the institution. The institution is non-residential, rather running off-campus system.
These reports have created panic even as deaths of students are said to have resulted from the attacks and thus strident appeals are being made to the Oyo state government and the Oba of the ancient town His Imperial Majesty Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, to rescue the situation.
However, a press release signed by the university’s Public Relations Officer Mr. Fadeyi, Thursday evening, has debunked the claim and allayed the fears, though admitting there have been pockets of armed robbery attacks by unidentified persons, a development he disclosed is being tackled with the assistance of security agencies and local government authorities.
The institution consequently described the reports as “irresponsible,” stressing no confirmation was sought from the authorities before going to the press with the reports.
The press release titled, “No case of Fulani attack on LAUTECH students,” states, “Our attention has been drawn to the falsehood peddled in the publication of Sahara Reporters titled “Suspected Herders raid LAUTECH students’ off-campus hostels in Oyo, Reportedly kill two.”
“There is no iota of truth in the story as no student of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, has been reportedly killed in the nearest past.
“There have been cases of armed robbery in some parts of the students area but that is being frontally addressed as the University authority is collaborating with security agencies and local government authorities to ensure regular patrol of the area.
“As we write, no arrest has been made to identify whether the assailants are of Hausa, Yoruba, Fulani of IBO extraction.
‘It is therefore irresponsible to report such a story without an attempt to reach the University authority for confirmation.”
