The Ondo State Police Command has arrested two students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), over the alleged drugging and sexual assault of a 20-year-old female student. The incident, which has sparked outrage within the university community and beyond, highlights growing concerns about student safety and rising cases of sexual violence on Nigerian campuses.
Police spokesperson, Olushola Ayanlade, confirmed the arrests in a statement, explaining that preliminary investigations revealed a disturbing breach of trust between the victim and one of the suspects. According to police findings, the victim had visited the home of her long-time friend, 19-year-old Queen Sodo, who is also a student at AAUA. Their friendship reportedly began during their secondary school years and continued into their time at the university.
Ayanlade said the victim accepted a drink offered by Sodo, unaware that it had been laced with a sedative. Shortly after consuming the beverage, she became weak and lost control of her body. Investigators say Sodo left the room at this point and returned with a male accomplice, believed to be another student of the institution. She reportedly remained nearby while the alleged assault took place.
Police investigations further revealed that a neighbour became suspicious after hearing unusual noises coming from the room. The neighbour rushed over to check what was happening and discovered the victim unconscious, lying beside the male suspect.
“It was the quick intervention of the neighbour that prevented the situation from escalating further,” Ayanlade stated.
The victim was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment. She was later referred to a specialist hospital for comprehensive care. According to the police, she is currently stable and recovering.
Both suspects have been arrested and remain in police custody. Police say they have confessed to their involvement in the incident, each giving details of their roles in the alleged crime.
Key pieces of evidence—including the drink believed to have been laced with the sedative—have been recovered. Investigators say the victim identified the drink container and confirmed that she consumed it before losing consciousness. Forensic checks on the drink have also been carried out.
The suspects will be transferred to the Gender Desk unit of the Ondo State Police Command for further investigation, after which they are expected to be charged in court.
Ayanlade assured the public that the police will ensure the case is pursued to its full legal conclusion. “All offenders, no matter their relationship with the victim, will face the law,” he said.
The case has caused shock and tension within the AAUA campus, where students continue to express fear over increasing incidents of sexual assault among young people. Several student groups have called for stricter security measures and awareness campaigns on safe relationships, drug misuse and consent.
AAUA is one of the major state-owned universities in the South-West and has a large student population. While the campus is generally known to be peaceful, occasional reports of robbery, assault and drug-related activities have led to calls for increased vigilance. In recent years, Nigerian universities have grappled with rising cases of rape, cybercrime and other offences involving young people.
Advocates say the situation reflects wider challenges in the country, including inadequate security, limited counselling support and lack of strong deterrents for offenders. Rights groups have repeatedly urged school authorities to create stronger support systems for students and ensure that sexual harassment policies are enforced.
In his statement, Ayanlade appealed to parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s social activities and maintain open communication with them. He stressed that young people must be taught to exercise caution even in relationships that appear safe.
“This incident shows that even long-standing friendships can be used to commit crimes,” he said. “Parents should educate their children on being careful about who they trust, especially regarding food, drinks and private meetings.”
Nigeria has recorded a worrying rise in sexual assault cases in recent years, prompting public outcry and stronger laws. In 2020, several high-profile cases—including the assault and murder of university student Vera Omozuwa in Edo State—led to nationwide protests and renewed calls for safety reforms.
The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, now adopted by most states, provides stronger penalties for rape and other forms of abuse. However, activists say enforcement remains slow and many cases never make it to court.
On university campuses, the problem is compounded by fear of stigma, reluctance of victims to speak out, and lack of adequate support from school authorities. Many students who fall victim to sexual assault often struggle with trauma, stigma and difficulty continuing their studies.
As the investigation continues, the AAUA management is expected to issue an official statement. Parents, students and advocacy groups have urged the university to strengthen campus security and provide more sensitisation programmes on personal safety and harmful peer influence.
The Ondo State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to ensuring justice for the victim and has urged the public to allow investigators to complete their work. Officers say they are determined to make an example of the case in order to discourage similar crimes in the future.
“This is a serious matter and we want to assure the public that justice will be done,” Ayanlade said.
