Babcock University, Ogun State, has clarified circumstances surrounding the disappearance and return of Oladipupo Siwajuola, a one-year Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board student, revealing he exited the campus without proper authorisation and will now face disciplinary measures.
In a statement released on Monday, the institution said Siwajuola, who was declared missing by his mother, Mrs. Fijabi Oyindamola, had left campus without following laid-down procedures. The student’s mother had earlier raised the alarm about his disappearance in a video that went viral on social media on May 3, 2025.
The university stated: “The student’s exit from the University campus was neither approved nor known to the University at the time. 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.”
According to the statement titled “Mother’s online sensational outbursts over ‘Missing son’: Babcock sets the record straight,” reports indicate that the student had been hiding in Akute, located in the Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, near Lagos.
While Siwajuola’s mother confirmed in a Facebook post that her son had been found, Babcock University noted that no official notification had been received from her or the Nigeria Police Force to confirm the student’s return. The university reiterated that it would continue cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigation.
“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 added.
Investigations also revealed that the student’s roommates had previously raised concerns with his mother regarding his conduct, including the use of items described as fetish, gambling, accumulating debts, and threatening a roommate.
“They repeatedly raised concerns to his mother via WhatsApp about his strange behaviour, including the use of items perceived as fetish, like a local sponge and black soap, which she claimed were for treating skin conditions,” the statement noted.
The institution further disclosed that Siwajuola allegedly threatened a roommate, Tobi Famuyiwa, who had reported his misconduct. The threats and misconduct prompted the university to invite Siwajuola to appear before its Student Disciplinary Committee.
“Oladipupo is going to appear before the Student Disciplinary Committee, particularly to be given the opportunity of a fair hearing, to clear himself of the misconduct allegedly perpetrated by him,” the statement affirmed.
The university criticized the mother’s decision to take the matter to social media, describing it as damaging and counterproductive.
“These public allegations were not only misleading but deeply regrettable. While the mother was engaging online, the University was working diligently with security agencies, students, and concerned citizens to locate and ensure the safe return of her son,” Babcock explained.
The university detailed the timeline leading up to Siwajuola’s disappearance, noting that his mother returned him to school after his JAMB examination on April 28. She reportedly became suspicious after noticing unusual activity on his bank account and learning he had sold his phone, continued communication through a friend’s device, and used money to settle debts.
Formal reporting was made on May 2, with university security commencing an investigation the next day.
The university has pledged to pursue the matter through proper institutional channels and hold all involved parties accountable based on findings from the police and internal investigations.
