A 20-year-old student of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Okene, Kogi State, Suleiman Rahma Onono, has been found dead weeks after she was declared missing, a development that has plunged the institution and surrounding communities into mourning and renewed anxiety over student safety.
Onono was last seen on campus about two weeks before her body was discovered. Her sudden disappearance had raised serious concern among friends, classmates and family members, prompting them to alert school authorities and security agencies. An official search was launched after she failed to return to her hostel and could no longer be reached by phone.
Her remains were eventually located under disturbing circumstances, with reports indicating that parts of her body were missing. The condition in which she was found has intensified fears that the killing may have been violent and deliberate, heightening public outrage and calls for justice.
A senior police officer in Kogi State confirmed that an investigation is underway, describing the case as a serious criminal matter. According to the officer, detectives are currently reconstructing Onono’s movements and interactions in the hours before she went missing.
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The killing has triggered widespread fear among students, many of whom say they now feel unsafe within and around the campus. Several students described the atmosphere as tense, with many limiting their movements and avoiding late outings.
The tragedy has also revived long-standing concerns about the safety of tertiary institutions in Kogi State, particularly those located close to communities where security challenges persist. Students and staff have repeatedly complained about inadequate patrols, poor lighting and weak emergency response systems.
For many on the FCE Okene campus, the death of Suleiman Rahma Onono is more than an isolated crime. It has become a symbol of students’ vulnerability and the urgent need for systemic reforms in campus security across Nigeria.
Persistent insecurity around schools discourages enrolment, affects academic performance and weakens public confidence in the country’s tertiary institutions. They argue that safeguarding students must be treated as a national priority, not merely an institutional responsibility.
As investigations continue, grief hangs heavily over FCE Okene. Friends describe Onono as quiet and focused, someone who had hopes of completing her education and building a future. Her death has cut short those dreams and left her family with painful questions that only a thorough investigation can answer.
While the police search for suspects and the college promises tighter security, the wider academic community is watching closely. For students, parents and educators, justice for Suleiman Rahma Onono will be measured not only by arrests and prosecutions, but by concrete changes that make campuses safer and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
