A student of Lagos State University, Odunuga Olatubosun Abiodun, has been forced into hiding following a string of violent attacks allegedly orchestrated by suspected cultists, which led to the brutal killing of his father and brother, and the burning down of his family home in Lagos.
Odunuga, a 100 level student and human rights advocate, resides in Gbagada Ifako, Lagos, before the incidents that have now turned his life into a nightmare.
Known for his outspokenness against cultism and corruption on Nigerian university campuses, it was gathered that the student activist had over the years drawn the ire of suspected cult groups through his bold campaigns for moral integrity and reform within the educational system.
Sources close to the family told our correspondent that Odunuga’s vocal stance, particularly his public condemnation of cult activities and his open support for the LGBTQ community, further placed him in the crosshairs of hostile groups operating within the university.
Further findings revealed that these groups allegedly issued repeated threats to silence the student, which soon escalated into coordinated violence.
In one of the attacks, our correspondent gathered that his father, Odunuga Bankole Pius, was reportedly shot and killed by gunmen believed to be affiliated with a cult group.
Not long after, the family home in Gbagada was set ablaze in what neighbours described as a targeted arson.
His brother, whose name was withheld for security reasons, also lost his life during the violent unrest that has since plunged the Odunuga family into mourning and fear.
The sustained attacks have left the once-promising student with no choice but to abandon his studies in his final year and go underground.
A relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns, said the family had exhausted all means of seeking protection from security agencies, including multiple reports to the police, but received little to no response.
“There were several reports made to the authorities, but nothing was done. It’s like they’re waiting for more people to be killed,” the source said.
Odunuga’s family, according to information gathered by our correspondent, made several attempts to shield him from the growing threats, but their efforts proved futile.
The pressure from both the cult groups and a section of the university’s leadership, who allegedly viewed his activism as disruptive, compounded the risks he faced.
Attempts to reach the Lagos State Police Command for comment on the matter were unsuccessful as calls and messages to the spokesperson went unanswered at the time of filing this report.
As of now, Odunuga’s whereabouts remain unknown, and those close to him claimed he is living in constant fear for his life.
Human rights organisations and student unions have started to raise alarm over his case, calling for immediate intervention and protection for student activists facing threats from cultist violence on Nigerian campuses.
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