Adejoke Adebiyi
The Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Chief Faremi Abiodun has dismissed the rumors that the institution is dominated by cultists, stating that the majority of students are dedicated to their studies.
In an interview with The Press Club MAPOLY, the CSO, a retired senior police officer who assumed the role after 35 years in the Nigerian Police Force, said his experience on campus has proved contrary to the negative perception he had before joining.
Abiodun stressed that MAPOLY is stronger and more disciplined than people think, insisting the campus is defined by academic commitment, not crime.
He said, “I had always heard that MAPOLY was full of cultists, maybe up to 80–90% of the students. But since I arrived, I discovered that’s not true. Sometimes, I see full classes by 6:30 or 7:00 p.m. Many students are serious-minded. MAPOLY is stronger and more disciplined than people think”.
The CSO, who served in various police units including the Force Intelligence Bureau and the Special Fraud Unit before retiring in 2023, was appointed after a competitive selection process.
Speaking on challenges, he revealed that the school’s security personnel had reduced from about 300 a decade ago to fewer than 50 due to staff welfare challenges and the uncertainty caused by the planned relocation of the institution to Ipokia years ago.
In the same vein, he identified shortage of personnel, infringement on MAPOLY’s 960-hectare land, and inadequate welfare as major challenges facing the security unit, calling for the inclusion of the department in the school’s budget, provision of more vehicles, and improved staff conditions to attract and retain capable hands.
He said, ” according to records, when there were plans to relocate MAPOLY to Ipokia, conditions worsened here, no proper welfare or support for security staff. Gradually, people left. Only a few, mostly older and experienced staff, remained. That’s why the number is so low today”.
However, he stressed the effort he’s taking to address recurring issues of stray cows, adding that the security officers now wears uniforms for easy identification on campus.
Also, while advising students on personal safety, he urged them to avoid bad company, resist peer pressure, and report any attempts to lure them into cultism to the security department.
He therefore expressed optimism that with the right support, significant progress can be achieved in improving campus security within the next two years.
“Two years is enough to make significant progress if the right steps are taken. Security must be prioritized in the school’s budget, “he said.