Babcock varsity reacts to disappearance of student, says he left campus without clearance

The management of Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, has responded to recent reports surrounding the disappearance and reappearance of one of its students, Oladipupo Siwajuola.

In an official statement released by the institution’s Director of Communication and Public Relations, Joshua Suleiman, the university clarified that Siwajuola left the campus without securing proper clearance, thereby violating the school’s established protocols.

Contrary to the widespread narrative suggesting foul play or negligence on the part of the institution, the statement emphasized that the student’s exit was unauthorized and not in line with Babcock University’s procedures for student movement.

Suleiman reiterated the university’s commitment to student safety and well-being, noting that measures are in place to prevent such incidents, provided students adhere to the laid-down guidelines.

“The student’s exit from the University campus was neither approved nor known to the University at the time. In an unfortunate turn, the student’s mother took to social media to sensationalise the situation, falsely accusing Babcock University and its students of negligence and complicity.

“These public allegations were not only misleading but deeply regrettable. She was doing this while the University, rather than joining the needless engagement on social media was busy galvanizing efforts, urgently and assiduously in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), other security agencies, ever patriotic and dedicated Babcock student bodies and concerned citizens to ensure the safety and return of the student,” it stated

Suleiman added that certain reliable sources indicated that the student, Oladipupo has returned from his hiding place to her mother’s care.

Unverified reports indicated that the student emerged from his hiding place in Akute in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, where he previously attended secondary school.

It added that Babcock University, however, has not received any official confirmation or denial of this information from the NPF.

The statement added that the mother has not contacted the University to confirm the situation. “The University currently awaits the outcome of the full scale investigation by the NPF authorities into the circumstances surrounding the student’s disappearance and re-emergence.

“It is however important to note that from the University’s records, Oladipupo exited the University’s campus without authorisation and did not follow the approved procedures for leaving University premises.

“Let it be clearly stated that Babcock University is a responsible, faith-based academic institution that takes the safety, security, and well-being of its students with the utmost seriousness.

“Our protocols for student welfare, hall monitoring, and campus safety are firmly in place and are constantly reviewed to capture emerging trends and challenges as many members of the public who have transacted with the University are already aware.

“With an on campus resident student population in the neighbourhood of 13,000, right from the start of their academic programmes till the end – the highest of such in Nigeria, Babcock University has never experienced a case of this nature in its decades-long history.

“That is a testament to the integrity of our systems and the values we uphold. Our students thrive in a morally guided, academically sound environment that has consistently produced graduates who excel in professional and public spaces across the globe; these assertions are clearly evident in the public domain,” the institution further stated.

He further disclosed that Oladipupo will appear before the Student Disciplinary Committee of the University, particularly to be given, as usual, the opportunity of fair hearing to clear himself for the misconduct allegedly perpetrated by him.

“In the same vein, any other alleged person (student or employee) indicted in the ongoing investigation, will equally appear before the appropriate University committee,” the management said.

Recall that Oladipupo’s distraught mother, Fijabi Oyindamola Omotayo who had earlier announced the disappearance of her son through the social media, confirmed that he had been found on Sunday.

“My son has been found,” Omotayo wrote without explaining the circumstances leading to the reappearance of the missing undergraduate.

Oyindamola, while making efforts to locate her son accused the school management of shielding two students – Lampard and Tobi, whom she claimed to be the last people to see Oladipupo.

“Can you explain why Lampard and Tobi, who were the last to see him, are being shielded? Why haven’t they been questioned thoroughly? Why are they being protected?” she had asked.