Hundreds of students of the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences, Jalingo, protested on Monday following an overnight attack on an off-campus female hostel, during which a student was allegedly raped and injured.
The attackers reportedly invaded the hostel in the early hours of Monday, stealing students’ phones and other valuables before assaulting the female student.
According to Daily Trust, sources said the victim sustained several injuries, including the loss of a finger, and was taken to GSCN Hospital in the Mile 6 area of Jalingo for treatment.
A students’ union official, who spoke on condition of anonymity over fears of victimisation, said the incident was the second attack on students’ hostels within two weeks.
He said a similar attack occurred the previous week, with students losing phones and other valuables to the assailants.
“Yesterday night, the hoodlums came in their numbers and attacked one of the female students’ hostels. They raped one of the students and also carted away phones belonging to the students and other valuables.
“They also cut one of the fingers of the student after raping her. She is now on admission at a private hospital located at Mile 6 area in Jalingo,” he said.
The official said students had raised concerns with the college authorities after the first attack, prompting the Commissioner for Tertiary Education to visit the institution and promise improved security.
“When the first attack happened last week, we complained to the school authorities and the Commissioner of Tertiary Education visited the college and promised that security measures would be put in place in all the hostels, but nothing was done,” he said.
Following the latest incident, the students gathered at the college gate to demand urgent intervention from the Taraba State Government and security agencies.
They also protested the continued accommodation of students in hostels located outside the college premises, despite the completion of new hostel facilities within the institution.
According to the students’ union official, the college has seven hostels, comprising one for male students and six for female students, but students remain accommodated outside the school premises where they are exposed to security risks.
“We have seven hostels, one for male and six for female, but students are all located outside the premises of the college and there is no adequate security, which exposed us, the students, to danger,” he said.
The latest attack occurred days after the Taraba State Ministry of Tertiary Education visited the college over a reported robbery at students’ hostels.
In its report, the ministry said armed men invaded the hostels, stole mobile phones and assaulted some students. It said 33 phones were reportedly stolen, while some students sustained injuries. Three phones and a cutlass were recovered at the scene.
The ministry subsequently recommended urgent security measures around the hostels, a stronger investigation into the attacks and the relocation of students to safer accommodation.
It also called for the completion and commissioning of the college’s new hostel facilities.
The Provost of the college, Dr Dorcas Dugule, confirmed that she was handling the matter when contacted but declined to comment further.
“I am on top of the issue. I will not speak; please give me time,” she said.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
What do you think about this?
Drop your opinion in the comment section.
FOLLOW US & Share this with someone who needs to see this.
