Babcock University, a private Christian institution in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, has disclosed that Oladipupo Siwajuola, the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) student earlier reported missing, left the campus without proper clearance.
The university also alleged that the student was involved in a series of troubling behaviour before his disappearance.
In a press statement released on Monday, the university addressed the controversy surrounding Oladipupo’s disappearance and his mother’s widely circulated social media outcry.
The statement, titled “Mother’s online sensational outbursts over ‘Missing son’: Babcock sets the record straight,” asserted that the student’s departure from campus on April 30 was unauthorised.
“The student’s exit from the University campus was neither approved nor known to the University at the time,” the university stated.
“In an unfortunate turn, the student’s mother took to social media to sensationalise the situation, falsely accusing Babcock University and its students of negligence and complicity.”
The student’s mother, Mrs. Fijabi Oyindamola, had on May 3 raised the alarm via a viral video, claiming her son was missing and alleging that the university was unresponsive.
However, Babcock said it refrained from engaging in social media debates and instead collaborated with the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies, student bodies, and concerned citizens to locate the missing student.
“These public allegations were not only misleading but deeply regrettable,” the statement added.
“The University, rather than joining the needless engagement on social media, was busy galvanising efforts to ensure the student’s safety and return.”
On Sunday, May 4, Mrs. Oyindamola posted on Facebook that her son had been found, but Babcock noted that she had not formally communicated this to the university.
“First and foremost, we are pleased to inform the public that certain reliable sources suggest the student in question has returned from his hiding place to her mother’s care,” the university said.
“However, Babcock University has not received any official confirmation or denial of this information from the NPF. Furthermore, the student’s mother has not contacted the University to confirm the situation.”
Unverified reports indicate Oladipupo had been hiding in Akute, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, a community close to Lagos where he previously attended secondary school.
The university further disclosed that Oladipupo’s roommates had repeatedly raised concerns with his mother via WhatsApp about his erratic behavior, including alleged use of fetish items such as “local sponge and black soap.”
“They also informed her of his debts, gambling, and other misconduct,” Babcock added. “She thanked them, asked them not to report him to the authorities, and sought their advice on handling him.”
According to the institution, Oladipupo allegedly threatened to stab a roommate, Tobi Famuyiwa, who had reported his behavior to his mother. On the night of April 30, he left the hostel with a hoodie and backpack and was not seen on campus thereafter.
The university also accused the student’s mother of obstructing due process by discouraging roommates from reporting the misconduct formally.
“Despite clear signs of misconduct, including gambling, selling his phone, and repeated dishonesty, his mother had earlier pleaded with his roommates not to report him to the University,” the statement read.
According to Babcock, Oladipupo will now appear before the Student Disciplinary Committee to address allegations of misconduct.
“Oladipupo is going to appear before the Student Disciplinary Committee to clear himself of the misconduct allegedly perpetrated by him. Any other person indicted in the ongoing investigation will equally appear before the appropriate University committee.”
The university stressed that it is still awaiting the outcome of the Nigeria Police Force’s investigation into the case. Meanwhile, it called on the public to verify information before spreading it online.
“This incident should serve as a cautionary tale about the importance of due diligence, especially when the safety of students and the integrity of institutions are involved,” they added.
Previously, SaharaReporters reported that the parents of Oladipupo Siwajuola were in distress after their son went missing from the university campus under mysterious circumstances.
His mother, Fijabi Oyindamola Omotayo, had accused the institution of shielding two students identified as Lampard and Tobi, who were allegedly the last people to see him before his disappearance.
“I personally dropped him off at school on Monday, April 27, like I always do,” the distraught mother said in an emotional plea.
“The last time I spoke with my son was on Wednesday. Since then, I haven’t been able to reach or locate him. Babcock should look for my son.”
With tears streaming down her face, Oyindamola added, “Please find my son for me. I have nothing in this world except him. Don’t let all my labour go in vain. I am helpless. I can’t sleep, I can’t eat. My son is not a wayward person. He doesn’t stay out late or disappear without telling me. Look for my son.”
She further claimed that when she contacted the school management about the situation, their response was dismissive.
“They told me he might still be within the school premises, that students sometimes roam about like that. But I asked them — what could you have done to my son that would make him run away?”
According to her, the university has failed to provide any substantial updates or take decisive action, especially regarding the two students — Lampard and Tobi — who last interacted with her son.
