CULTISM: University student flees campus after harassment
A 16-year-old student, Bakare Sherif Abayomi, has abandoned his studies at the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, due to persistent harassment by cultists.
According to sources, Abayomi, who gained admission into the university last year, began receiving threatening messages and visits from suspected cultists.
The cult group allegedly demanded that he join their ranks or face severe consequences.
Despite reporting the incidents to university authorities, the harassment continued, forcing Abayomi to flee the campus for fear of his safety.
Speaking about his ordeal to our correspondent, Abayomi said his determination to focus on his studies was short-lived shortly after matriculation.
He said he started to receive strange messages and threats from unknown numbers.
At first, he ignored them, thinking they were just prank calls.
But soon, the messages became more menacing, and Abayomi said he soon realised that he was being targeted by cultists.
He added that the cult group threatened to harm him if he didn’t join their group.
Despite reporting the incidents to university authorities, the harassment continued, forcing Abayomi to flee the campus for fear of his safety.
He narrated, “I tried to brush it off, but the cultists became more aggressive. They would show up at my hostel, knocking on my door, and even followed me to class. They whispered intimidating words in my ear, making me feel like I was being watched all the time.
“Despite all my efforts to focus on my studies, I found myself becoming increasingly anxious and withdrawn. At some point, I stopped attending classes, fearing for my safety.
“One night, the cultists took things too far. They stormed into my hostel room, demanding that I join their group or face the consequences. I knew I had to get out of there, so, I packed my bags and left the university, abandoning my dreams of higher education.”
“The cultists were everywhere, always lurking in the shadows, waiting for me. They would send me messages, threatening to kill me if I didn’t join them. I couldn’t take it anymore,” Abayomi said, his voice trembling with fear.
The university, however, promised to investigate the matter and ensure the safety of its students.
Recalled that a final year student of History and Diplomatic Studies at institution was reportedly killed on the campus premises by suspected cultists recently.
PUNCH had reported that the deceased student, identified as Olaoye Fabiyi, was reportedly dragged out of examination hall while writing his final papers by some men.
The armed men reportedly dragged him to a corner where they shot at him and hit him with a brick on the head.
Eyewitnessss at the scene said the assailants waited to ensure that he was dead before leaving the scene.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the school’s Students Union President, Bethel Olorunfunmi, said efforts to save the life of the victim by medical personnel proved abortive.
The Ogun state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the killing to one of our correspondents.
She disclosed that the command had begun an investigation and launched raids on suspected cultists hideouts in the area.
She added that all efforts were being made to apprehend every member of the group responsible for the incident.
