Babcock University has refuted claims of negligence in the disappearance of Oladipupo Siwajuola, a JUPEB student, asserting that he left the campus without authorization. The university's Director of Communication and Public Relations, Joshua Suleiman, issued a statement denouncing the allegations made by Siwajuola’s mother as “sensational and false,” accusing her of launching a misleading social media campaign that negatively portrayed the university and its students.

According to Suleiman, Siwajuola exited the school premises without following established protocols or obtaining proper clearance. The university emphasized that his departure was neither approved nor known to them at the time. While the student’s mother took her concerns online, the institution was already working with the Nigeria Police, security agencies, and student organizations to locate him.

Reports suggest Siwajuola was later found in Akute, Ogun State, near Lagos, where he previously attended secondary school. The university revealed that Siwajuola had exhibited troubling behavior prior to his disappearance, including gambling, debt accumulation, and the use of prohibited items on campus. His roommates raised these concerns, but his mother allegedly instructed them not to report him, hindering the school’s internal safety protocols. The university further disclosed that Siwajuola lied to his mother about his phone's whereabouts, sold it, and shared his banking credentials with a friend to conceal his activities.

Despite these warning signs, the university stated that Siwajuola’s mother did not officially inform them of his disappearance until May 2. By then, the school had already flagged his absence and launched an investigation. Siwajuola is now expected to face the university’s disciplinary committee, and anyone else found culpable during the ongoing probe will also face due process.

Suleiman criticized the mother’s campaign as premature, irresponsible, and damaging, warning the public against drawing conclusions from unverified social media narratives. He also indicated that the university may consider legal action to protect its reputation. The statement concluded with a call for greater cooperation from parents, encouraging them to work through institutional channels rather than spread misinformation.

Babcock University has firmly responded to these allegations, describing them as damaging and unfounded, and warning of possible legal consequences. The university condemned the misleading reports and emphasized that Oladipupo left campus without authorization or official clearance, violating campus protocols. The university also accused the mother of interfering with standard monitoring procedures by allegedly discouraging roommates from notifying authorities about his absence, presenting WhatsApp messages to support this allegation.

The university stated it is reviewing legal options in light of the reputational harm caused by the mother’s posts and warned that any future attempts to spread misinformation would not be taken lightly.