Viral rape case: Victim not affiliated with OAU, says management

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, have responded to a viral news story about the rape and robbery of a female passenger by a commercial motorcyclist, known as an Okada rider.

Refuting the claim that the victim is an undergraduate of OAU, the University’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, clarified in a press statement made available to journalists in Osogbo on Tuesday that the victim has no affiliation with the institution.

He noted that although the female passenger engaged the services of the Okada rider in front of the University’s main gate along Ife-Ede road, heading towards Moro, a nearby town, the motorcyclist, later identified as Damilare Jacob, suddenly diverted into the bush where he raped the young lady and robbed her of her belongings.

Olarewaju stated, “We have conducted our due diligence, and the outcome of our thorough investigation revealed that no OAU student, within or outside the campus, was involved in any form of rape or robbery.

“In fact, our University is not in session, and all our students, with a few exceptions, have been on holiday for almost a month now.”

He urged the public, particularly parents and guardians of OAU students, to disregard the news item entirely.

Olarewaju requested that the media verify the authenticity of stories involving Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, before publishing.