Within the space of three years, not less than five female students have been gruesomely killed beyond their campuses by either their boyfriends, someone they once went out with, or people they never even knew.
From Uwaila Omozuwa, a 100-level student at the University of Benin who was reportedly raped and assaulted by assailants in a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Edo State on May 27, 2020. She died a few days after the attack.
To Barakat Bello who was a student of the Institute of Agriculture, Research and Training in Ibadan before she was raped and killed in her parents’ house in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Several reports revealed that she was returning home after fetching water for her bath when she met suspected thieves, who gang-raped and cut her with machetes until she died in the house.
And then many named others, like UNIUYO Hiny Iniobong Umoren, FUOYE Modupe Deborah Atanda, and recently Justina Otuene Nkang, a 300-level student of Biological Chemistry at UNIPORT who was killed by her boyfriend Okoligwe Damian Chinemere, a 400-level engineering student of the same school.
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These gruesome killings have shown that university authorities must begin to take the safety of their students’ lives very seriously on campus, and beyond the campuses.
Female students, tragically, bear the brunt of heinous crimes such as rape and killings. Research has shown that they often become targets due to their perceived vulnerability, lack of self-defense skills, and limited access to support networks. Acknowledging this stark reality is the first step toward devising effective solutions.
Therefore, university authorities must begin to create well-lit roads, surveillance cameras, and panic buttons, especially in vulnerable areas. Moreover, employing more security personnel and conducting regular security drills can create a safer environment among female students.
Secondly, it is the responsibility of the university management to equip students with education and awareness in self-defense techniques, and conducting workshops on consent and awareness about safe practices both online and offline can significantly enhance their ability to protect themselves, thereby reducing their vulnerability to violence.
Educated and informed women are more likely to recognize danger and take preventive measures.
Female students also have an individual role to play here. They must notify their friends before going out with any man or let their close friends know whom they are dating and the kind of man he is. While this is not an excuse for rape, violence or killings, as much as they can, they should never walk alone at night, especially on dangerous paths and they should ensure they are home before it is very dark.
Also, female students must be wary of where their partners get money from which they lavish on them. Dating or going out with someone whom you do not know their source of income is a red flag that you must steer clear of.
Additionally, conducting regular security checkups of areas surrounding campuses is essential. Identifying vulnerable places and promptly implementing corrective measures will ensure a proactive approach to students’ safety.
Through continuous monitoring and adaptation based on real-time feedback, challenges that might occur later can be effectively addressed.
Community vigilance and engagement are also key, and this is also the responsibility of any university authority.
Neighborhood watch programs, active involvement of local residents, and collaboration between universities and law enforcement agencies can also deter potential offenders.
Lastly, building a network of vigilant community members will help foster a sense of security and protect female students from harm.
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