Fresh concerns over student safety have gripped Nigeria’s higher education sector after the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the University of Ibadan (UI) confirmed the disappearance of a 300-level Law student, even as Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos declared its campus safe following an intensive overnight security operation prompted by reports of suspicious armed men.
The missing student, identified as Tomisin Abo, is a 300-level Law undergraduate at the University of Ibadan, the National Secretary of the Scripture Union Student Fellowship, Nigeria, and Vice President of the fellowship’s UI chapter.
In a statement issued by SUG President, Comrade Temidayo Adeboye, the union clarified widespread social media reports suggesting that eight UI students had gone missing, stressing that only Tomisin remains unaccounted for.
According to the union, Tomisin had travelled with the National General Director of the Scripture Union Student Fellowship, Engr. Uwem Cosmos, and eight other participants for a religious retreat and conference at the Camp of Faith in Okigwe, Imo State.
She was reportedly returning from the programme when communication with her was lost.
Her disappearance became apparent after she failed to sit for scheduled faculty examinations on Monday and Tuesday, raising alarm among colleagues and university authorities.
“The Students’ Union has initiated the necessary engagements to ascertain the facts surrounding the situation,” Adeboye said, adding that contacts had been established with relevant religious organisations and security agencies to facilitate efforts aimed at locating the missing student.
The union urged members of the public to disregard claims that multiple UI students had been abducted, explaining that another undergraduate from the Department of Music who attended the same conference returned safely.
According to available information, only the vehicle conveying the Scripture Union’s National General Director has yet to be accounted for.
The University of Ibadan’s Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Ademola Lewis, also confirmed the development, noting that while the institution was aware of the incident, it had not been notified in advance about the trip.
He said efforts were underway to secure Tomisin’s safe return and appealed to students and members of the public to remain calm while avoiding the circulation of unverified information capable of worsening the situation.
Pan-Atlantic lifts security alert
The development comes as Pan-Atlantic University in Lekki, Lagos State, sought to reassure students after an overnight security operation triggered by reports of suspected bandit-like individuals within or around its campus.
Less than 24 hours earlier, the institution had advised students to remain indoors while a joint operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy swept through the university and adjoining areas.
An emergency advisory issued by the Student Council acknowledged growing concerns over the presence of “unauthorised individuals” and assured students that management was working closely with security agencies to safeguard lives and property.
On Wednesday, however, the university announced that normal academic and social activities could resume after security assessments found no immediate threat on campus.
The development followed an on-the-spot assessment by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, who led operational personnel to the institution after a viral video surfaced showing two masked individuals emerging from a forested area near the university.
While authorities in Lagos have moved to calm fears over the incident, the disappearance of the University of Ibadan undergraduate has once again highlighted growing concerns about the safety of students travelling across the country amid persistent security challenges.
As investigations continue, colleagues, family members and fellow worshippers remain hopeful that Tomisin will be found alive and reunited with her loved ones.
