The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has called on members of the public to assist in locating a female student who has been missing for four days.
The university authorities, in collaboration with the Osun State Police Command, have intensified efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, the missing student was identified as Dorcas Oseghale, a 300-level student in the Department of Chemistry, with matriculation number CHM/2021/165.
According to the statement, Dorcas was last seen on the evening of Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at about 8:00 p.m. She reportedly left her residence at Adesanmi House, Ibadan Road, Ile-Ife, to buy food in front of the Students’ Village along the Ede Road axis of the university. However, she did not return, and attempts by her roommate to reach her via phone were unsuccessful, as both of her lines were switched off.
Olarewaju explained that at around 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 7, a report of a missing female student began circulating on students’ social media platforms. The university’s security unit immediately began monitoring the conversation for leads.
By 6:10 p.m. that same day, a group of students from the Department of Chemistry, accompanied by Dorcas’ roommate, Akinkuade Omobolanle Beatrice, from the Department of Agricultural Extension, formally reported the matter to the university’s security unit.
“Considering the complexity of the case and the limitations of our human and material resources, three security personnel were assigned to lead the search team and report preliminary findings to the Nigerian Police, who have the manpower, professional skills, and technical expertise to handle such investigations,” Olarewaju stated.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, commended the students for their vigilance and quick response in reporting the matter. He appealed to the Police and other security agencies to deploy all necessary resources to help locate Dorcas.
Bamire further urged anyone with useful information on the student’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or contact the Security Unit of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.