By Oluwasore Alabi
The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, is in a state of unease. The disappearance of a 300-level Chemistry student, Dorcas Oseghale, who has been missing for four days, has sparked deep concern among students, staff, and the wider community. Dorcas was last seen on Thursday evening, August 7, 2025, after telling a friend she was heading to buy food at the Students’ Village along Ede Road. She never returned to her hostel at Adesanmi House, Ibadan Road, and both of her mobile phone numbers have been switched off since.
The university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed that the institution had escalated efforts to locate her, reporting the matter to the Osun State Police Command. According to the official statement, the school’s security team began monitoring online conversations about her disappearance on the same day it was reported by concerned students. Three security personnel were initially assigned to assist students in searching for her before the matter was handed over to the police.
Vice Chancellor Professor Simeon Bamire has called on the police and all relevant security agencies to do everything possible to find Dorcas. He also commended the students for their swift action in raising the alarm. The appeal has now gone beyond campus gates. Anyone with useful information is urged to come forward.
This is not just a story about one missing student, it is a sobering reminder of the growing security threats facing Nigerian campuses. OAU is one of the country’s most respected universities, but this incident shows that prestige is not a shield against crime. Campuses are increasingly vulnerable to kidnapping, assault, and other criminal activities, especially in areas where security infrastructure is overstretched or outdated.
When a student can leave her hostel for a short errand and vanish without a trace, it forces a serious conversation: Are universities truly safe spaces
From the university’s account, OAU acted within its capacity. Students reported the matter, the security unit responded, and the police were informed. However, the fact that only three security officers were assigned to the initial search raises questions about manpower, resources, and the readiness of the institution to handle emergencies of this nature.
Universities are meant to have security teams not just for gatekeeping, but for active surveillance, quick response, and preventive measures. In today’s Nigeria, where criminal activities can happen anywhere, relying solely on traditional security methods, manual patrols, a few CCTV cameras, and reactive responses is no longer enough.
It’s not only about responding after something happens; it’s about ensuring it does not happen in the first place. That means more trained personnel, technology-driven monitoring, and proper coordination with law enforcement agencies.
Incidents like this go beyond physical security. They shake the emotional stability of students. Knowing that a colleague, roommate, or classmate is missing can create fear, anxiety, and distrust within the community. Students begin to question whether they are truly safe walking to lectures, staying in hostels, or even going out for basic needs like food. This can affect academic performance, attendance, and overall campus life. A safe learning environment is not a luxury it is a necessity for education to thrive.
Right now, the priority must be finding Dorcas. Every passing hour matters in missing persons cases. The police, OAU security, and community members must work in coordination, sharing any lead or information that could help.
But beyond this immediate case, OAU and other universities must take a long, hard look at their security architecture. Student safety should not depend on luck, goodwill, or the hope that nothing bad will happen. It should be guaranteed through proactive planning, adequate funding, and constant vigilance.
The disappearance of Dorcas Oseghale is a tragedy in motion. One we all hope will end with her safe return. But it is also a test for OAU and Nigerian higher education as a whole. Universities are not just places for academic learning they are communities that must safeguard the lives entrusted to them.
Security on campus should be as fundamental as providing classrooms, libraries, and laboratories. It is time for Nigerian universities to modernise their security systems, strengthen ties with local law enforcement, and treat every student’s safety as non-negotiable.Because when a student disappears, it is not just one life at stake, it is the trust of an entire community, and the integrity of the institution itself.
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