The management of Gateway (ICT) Polytechnic Saapade has called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, traditional rulers, youth leaders, landlords and residents to tackle rising insecurity affecting students and host communities around the institution.
The call was made during a security summit 3rd in its series held at the Academic Board Room of the polytechnic in Saapade, Ogun State, where stakeholders from various communities within Remo North axis gathered to deliberate on ways of improving safety of lives and property.
Speaking at the summit, the Rector of the institution, Dr. Sanni Kehinde Oseni, described security as a collective responsibility that must involve every stakeholder, including the management, staff, students, host communities and government agencies.
He said the summit became necessary in view of the persistent security challenges confronting the institution and neighbouring communities, stressing that the forum was designed to foster dialogue, awareness and practical solutions to insecurity.
According to him, “Security is not solely the responsibility of security agencies. It is a shared duty that involves all stakeholders. We must all be vigilant, determined and committed to fostering a safe and secure environment.”
The rector noted that the institution remained committed to engaging stakeholders in addressing security concerns affecting students and residents in the area.
He further urged participants to embrace intelligence sharing, community policing and security awareness as part of efforts aimed at strengthening safety across the communities.
The summit attracted prominent stakeholders including the Chairman of Remo North Local Government, representatives of security agencies, youth leaders, traditional rulers, community development association chairmen and officials of the institution.
Traditional rulers present at the meeting included the Onipara of Ipara, the Alaye of Ode, the Odemo of Isara, the Eleposo of Eposo and the Oloku of Iraye.
Security agencies represented at the summit included the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, alongside Divisional Police Officers from Ode Remo, Isara and Ipara divisions.
In his remarks, the institution’s Dean of Student Affairs, Dr Adedayo Akeem Musari expressed concern over the growing insecurity around students’ residences, revealing that cases of harassment, robbery, rape and ritual-related threats had become a source of worry for the institution.
He disclosed that although the Polytechnic had made efforts to improve security, the off-campus nature of many students’ accommodations continued to expose them to risks.
The Director recalled a recent kidnapping incident involving students, who were later rescued through the intervention of the Nigerian Police Force.
He also noted that the institution had directed estate agents and landlords to carry out proper profiling and documentation of tenants claiming to be students of the institution before allocating apartments to them.
According to him, some commercial motorcycle operators were allegedly collaborating with criminal elements, while unrestricted night movement by students had further worsened the security situation.
Student leaders and youth representatives from various host communities also identified porous entry points, unregulated tenancy arrangements and suspicious movements of strangers as major security concerns in the area.
The President of the Students’ Union Government, Comrade Bukunmi Akinpelu appealed for improved security measures to address prevailing threats confronting students.
The Registrar, Dr Julius Popoola, earlier read the major highlights of the agreement reached at the 2nd security summit, held in October 2025 as the stakeholders present then resolved that hostel operators must engage security personnel within their facilities, while the institution would provide shuttle buses to reduce students’ exposure to danger at night.
Participants also agreed that night movement by students should be strongly discouraged and that generators in hostels should be switched off by 11 p.m.
While recalling several robbery cases where students have been severely affected and killed, the DSA said that in Ipara remo, fifteen robbery cases recorded and two students killed, thirty two robbery cases recorded in isara remo and five students killed, while fifty eight cases recorded in ode Remo and sixteen students were reportedly killed.
Traditional rulers were urged to strengthen local security architecture within their domains, while all stakeholders were encouraged to work closely with divisional police officers to safeguard lives and property.
The meeting further resolved that commercial motorcycle riders operating within the communities should be properly registered and profiled, while landlords were advised to regulate the number of occupants in rented apartments to prevent harbouring of criminal elements.
Stakeholders also called on the Remo North Local Government to facilitate the construction of speed breakers on major roads within the affected communities to enhance safety.
The Registrar of the institution, Dr. Julius Popoola, thanked participants for their contributions and expressed optimism that the resolutions reached at the summit would help improve security within the institution and surrounding communities.
