Students of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti, have introduced strict movement restrictions, including a curfew and limits on commercial motorcycle operations, following a surge in armed robbery attacks on hostels around the campus.

The measures were adopted after an emergency stakeholders’ meeting involving the Students’ Union Government, the university’s security committee, and state-backed security operatives.

The development was disclosed in a statement jointly signed by the Students’ Union President, Osunyomi Hezekiah, and the General Secretary, Ojotu Olamipo, on Wednesday.

According to the union, the directives are aimed at enhancing surveillance and reducing criminal activities in affected areas such as Satellite, Phase 2, UBA, and Osekita.

Under the new guidelines, commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada, are restricted to operating between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., with any rider found operating beyond the stipulated time facing a ban from the school environment.

A curfew has also been imposed, restricting all movement between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. in the affected areas. Tricycles are to serve as the only means of transportation between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. within designated residential zones.

To strengthen enforcement, commercial riders are to be profiled and issued identification jackets, while motorcycles without visible number plates are to be impounded.

The directive further mandates students to carry valid identification at all times, with provisions for on-the-spot verification through the student portal when required by security personnel.

Hostel owners have also been instructed to install solar lighting around their buildings to eliminate dark areas that could be exploited by criminals, with compliance expected by the end of April.

The union added that additional measures, including the provision of transformers and profiling of security guards, are being implemented to improve safety.

Students were urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities.

The restrictions follow rising concerns over repeated robbery incidents targeting off-campus hostels, which have disrupted academic activities and heightened fear among students.

Police authorities had earlier confirmed the arrest of a suspect linked to the attacks, with items believed to have been used in the operations recovered. Witnesses said the assailants moved between hostels, dispossessing students of phones, laptops and cash.