Fear and anxiety have reportedly gripped students of the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences, Jalingo, following an alleged overnight attack on a female hostel located outside the institution’s main premises.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, has triggered a peaceful protest by hundreds of students who demanded urgent measures to improve security around hostels occupied by students.
Sources familiar with the incident said suspected hoodlums reportedly invaded the hostel while the students were asleep and allegedly began dispossessing them of their mobile phones and other personal belongings.
The attack reportedly took a more disturbing turn when a female student was allegedly sexually assaulted by the attackers.
Sources further alleged that the victim sustained serious injuries during the incident, including an injury to one of her fingers which was reportedly cut off.
The victim was subsequently taken to GSCN Hospital in the Mile 6 area of Jalingo for medical attention, according to sources familiar with the development.
The alleged attack has generated widespread concern among students, particularly those living in hostels located outside the college’s main campus.
For many of the students, the incident has raised fresh questions about the security arrangements around accommodation facilities where students reside after lectures and other academic activities.
Following the incident, hundreds of students were observed to have took to the streets in a peaceful protest, calling for immediate intervention from the college management, state government and security agencies.
The protesters demanded stronger security measures around the affected hostels, including improved surveillance and measures capable of deterring criminal attacks.
They also urged security agencies to investigate the incident thoroughly, identify those behind the attack and bring them to justice if found culpable.
The students expressed concern that the absence of adequate security around some off-campus hostels could leave students vulnerable to criminal attacks, particularly at night.
The latest incident has also renewed calls for closer cooperation between the college authorities, hostel operators, landlords, community leaders and security agencies in protecting students living outside the institution.
Students are urging the authorities not to wait for another attack before taking decisive preventive measures.
As of the time of filing this report, the Taraba State Police Command had not issued an official statement confirming the alleged attack, rape, robbery or injury.
The management of the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences had also not publicly commented on the incident.
