Restrictions Imposed in Malete to Tackle Rising Robbery Attacks on KWASU Students
In a decisive move to address the increasing cases of robbery attacks in Malete, the community that hosts Kwara State University (KWASU), the University management and local authorities have jointly imposed strict restrictions on movement and activities, particularly during night hours.
The new restrictions, which were agreed upon during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Monday, June 23, 2025, include a curfew on motorcycle operations from 10:00 p.m., a general movement and commercial activity ban starting at 11:00 p.m., and a mandatory shutdown of all generator sets by 12:00 midnight. In addition, all night parties and gatherings are now banned indefinitely in the community.
This resolution comes amid growing concerns over the safety and security of students residing off-campus in Malete, following a spate of robbery attacks targeting KWASU students. The meeting was convened at the instance of the University’s management and included high-ranking stakeholders from across the region.
Who Was at the Meeting?
The emergency stakeholders’ meeting was attended by the Vice-Chancellor of KWASU, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Alade Jimoh, his extended management team, the Chairperson of Moro Local Government Council, Hajia Mariam Abdulwasiu, several councillors from the local government, traditional rulers of Malete, security agencies, representatives of the KWASU Student Union Government (SUG), and members of the University’s alumni association.
The stakeholders unanimously agreed that urgent steps must be taken to address the insecurity plaguing Malete. As such, a combination of curfews, security reforms, and collaborative strategies were adopted.
New Security Measures Announced
In addition to the time-based restrictions on movement and activity, other proactive security measures were rolled out. These include the establishment of a Joint Security Committee comprising representatives from:
- The University Management
- The Malete Community Leadership
- The KWASU Student Union
- Local Security Agencies
The aim of this committee is to enhance coordination and ensure that real-time intelligence is acted upon quickly to prevent further criminal activity.
Private Hostels Ordered to Employ Security
All private hostel owners in Malete have now been directed to engage trained security personnel to safeguard their premises. According to the Vice-Chancellor, this will ensure that students residing outside the main campus are not left vulnerable.
Furthermore, the University is partnering with the Local Government and community leaders to recruit professional vigilantes who will assist in patrol duties and security surveillance, particularly at night.
Vice-Chancellor Speaks on Student Safety
Speaking at the meeting, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh emphasized that the safety of students remains a top priority for the University. He expressed concern over the recent attacks and pledged that every necessary action would be taken to protect KWASU students.
“We will not fold our arms while our students suffer in fear. These measures are not to restrict anyone’s freedom unnecessarily but to protect lives and restore calm to Malete,” he stated.
He also commended the Malete community and security personnel for their support so far in maintaining order and called for increased vigilance and cooperation from all residents.
Legal Framework in Progress
In her remarks, the Chairperson of Moro Local Government Council, Hajia Mariam Abdulwasiu, stated that her council would initiate the legal framework necessary to turn the restrictions into an enforceable bylaw.
“We are committed to ensuring these decisions are not just temporary policies but legal instruments that will stand the test of time,” she said.
She praised the leadership of KWASU for acting swiftly and responsibly in response to the crisis, describing the University’s management as “proactive and people-centered.”
More Vigilantes and Infrastructure Support
Hajia Abdulwasiu also announced several additional efforts by the council to support the ongoing security reform in Malete. These include:
- The employment of 10 additional professional vigilantes
- Provision of security equipment and gadgets for patrol duties
- Donation of a transformer to improve electricity supply in the community
- Installation of security gates on major roads leading in and out of Malete to control night movement
As part of the support for affected students, she also announced a donation of ₦1,000,000 to victims of the most recent robbery incidents in the community.
Call for Cooperation and Vigilance
The stakeholders’ meeting ended with a strong appeal to students, landlords, residents, and local business owners to take security seriously. All suspicious movements and activities are to be reported immediately to the nearest security personnel or vigilante group.
The stakeholders also encouraged KWASU students to avoid moving alone at night and to limit unnecessary gatherings during the late hours.
Conclusion
With the implementation of these restrictions and security measures, it is hoped that Malete will once again become a safe and peaceful environment for learning and community life. The collaborative effort between the University, local government, traditional rulers, and students highlights the seriousness of the situation and the collective commitment to end the spate of robberies in the area.
All eyes will now be on the enforcement of these restrictions and the tangible results they will produce in the coming weeks. For the KWASU community, the message is clear: security is everyone’s responsibility.
– Dr. Saeedat Aliyu, Ag. Director, University Relations
