The Take It Back (TIB) Students Unit in Ondo State has issued a scathing statement condemning what it describes as “shocking neglect and systemic failure” across multiple sectors affecting residents and students in the state.
In the statement released on Thursday, the group highlighted the total power blackout that has gripped Ese-Odo and Irele local government areas for over 13 years. According to the TIB unit, the prolonged outage has crippled local economies, disrupted education, and degraded the standard of living for thousands.
“It is unacceptable that in 2025, communities in Ondo State are still living without electricity. This level of neglect shows clear abandonment by successive governments,” the group said.
The statement also shed light on the ongoing vehicle plate number crisis that has persisted for more than eight months. Due to bureaucratic delays and supply shortages, many vehicle owners have been unable to register their vehicles. Despite this, law enforcement officers allegedly continue to arrest and extort drivers over the missing registrations.
“This situation is unjust and exploitative,” the group stated. “We demand that the state government work with relevant federal authorities to resolve this crisis immediately and halt the unlawful harassment of motorists.”
Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (RUGIPO) was another major concern raised. The student body revealed that many ND2 and HND2 students have still not received their student ID cards—some since their first year—despite having fulfilled all requirements. The lack of IDs, they say, not only hinders academic processes but also raises serious security issues.
“This is a basic administrative duty that the school has failed to perform. It is dangerous and unacceptable,” the group emphasized.
Further compounding the insecurity on campus is the menace of a gang known as “Egbon Adugbo,” reportedly operating around RUGIPO. The group is said to be harassing students, extorting money, and threatening them with weapons.
“Students now live in fear. The activities of this group must be stopped immediately. We call on security agencies and the school management to swing into action before lives are lost,” the TIB unit urged.
The statement concluded with a strong call to action, demanding urgent intervention from the Ondo State government, security agencies, and relevant authorities to address the mounting issues and restore justice, safety, and accountability.
