The Ondo State chapter of the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement has issued a strong call for justice after the tragic abduction and murder of two students from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA). The incident, which has reportedly been linked to their landlord, has sparked outrage and deep sorrow across the state.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by the chapter’s coordinator, Patrick Owolabi Otu, the movement expressed heartbreak over the killings, describing them as yet another painful indication of the growing insecurity in Ondo State.
The statement lamented that the slain students were not criminals or militants, but rather young Nigerians from humble backgrounds who were pursuing education in the hope of building better futures.
TIB called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to take urgent and decisive steps to combat the insecurity that has plagued the state. The group’s demands included a comprehensive investigation into the murders, a formal declaration of a security emergency, and the creation of a community-driven security framework involving local chiefs, vigilante outfits, and civil society stakeholders.
Part of the statement reads: “The Take-It-Back Movement, Ondo State Chapter, mourns with heavy hearts the murder of two bright students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. Their abduction and subsequent killing, allegedly by their landlord, has deeply shaken the community.
“These young individuals sought nothing more than an education. Their lives, filled with potential, were cut short in a senseless act of violence. This tragedy underscores the level of danger residents now face in Ondo State.
“We denounce this atrocity in the strongest terms. Students should never have to live in fear. They were not criminals, nor were they armed men engaged in battle. They were simply children of everyday Nigerians, chasing dreams through education — dreams now forever lost. Their families have been thrown into grief that may never heal.
“It’s disturbing that a state renowned for producing some of Nigeria’s brightest minds now forces its students to live in fear — unable to move freely, return home safely, or even commute without the fear of abduction. How many more must die before our leaders acknowledge that Ondo is in the grip of a security crisis?”
The TIB movement pointed out that this incident is part of a larger pattern of violence affecting the region. It said that residents of areas such as Akoko, Owo, and Ose have been continuously terrorized by kidnappers, highway robbers, and armed herders. Farmers are afraid to tend to their land, traders face constant danger on the roads, and students have become easy targets.
TIB stated: “We demand the following from Governor Aiyedatiwa and the Ondo State Government: Immediate investigation into the kidnapping and killing of the AAUA students, with all perpetrators apprehended and prosecuted without delay.
“We ask for the declaration of a security emergency in Ondo State, focusing on areas notorious for violent crimes. Engage traditional institutions, vigilante networks, student unions, and civil society to build a people-powered safety mechanism.
“Invest heavily in surveillance tools, improve the mobility and logistics for security personnel, and strengthen emergency response systems across the state. Furthermore, tackle the root causes of violence — such as youth unemployment, widespread poverty, and broken public systems — which continue to fuel crime.”
The group also called on students, youth groups, and citizens of goodwill across the state to stand in solidarity and demand accountability from political leaders.
“We must not allow these murders to fade into silence. These students’ lives must symbolize a turning point. Let their memories become the fire that sparks a demand for lasting change.
“Insecurity is not a destiny the people must accept. The people of Ondo deserve safety. Students should be able to study without fear. Farmers must be able to return from the fields alive. Every citizen is entitled to life and dignity.
“If the government cannot ensure that, it has failed in its core duty — and that failure should never be accepted as normal.
“The Take-It-Back Movement will continue to fight until justice is achieved and every part of Ondo — its streets, highways, and farms — becomes safe again.”
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