Hundreds of students of the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences, Jalingo, staged a peaceful protest on Monday following an overnight attack on one of the female hostels located outside the college premises.
The attackers allegedly raped a female student during the incident, injured her and cut one of her fingers. They also reportedly stole mobile phones and other valuables belonging to students.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday when the hoodlums reportedly invaded the hostel and attacked the students.
The victim was later taken to GSCN Hospital in the Mile 6 area of Jalingo for medical treatment.
A students’ union official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the latest incident was the second attack on students’ hostels within two weeks.
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According to the official, some hostels were raided the previous week, with the attackers stealing phones and other valuables from students.
He said students had complained to the school authorities after the first incident, following which the Commissioner for Tertiary Education visited the college and promised to strengthen security around the hostels.
“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,” he said.
He added that the attackers cut one of the student’s fingers after the alleged rape and that she was receiving treatment at a private hospital in the Mile 6 area of Jalingo.
Following the attack, the students gathered at the college gate to protest the security situation and demand urgent intervention from the Taraba State Government and security agencies.
The protesters also expressed concern about the continued accommodation of students in hostels outside the college premises despite the completion of hostel facilities within the institution.
The students’ union official said the college has seven hostels, comprising one for male students and six for female students, but alleged that students were still being accommodated outside the premises where security was inadequate.
The latest incident occurred days after officials of the Taraba State Ministry of Tertiary Education visited the college following an earlier robbery attack on students’ hostels.
The ministry had reported that armed men invaded the hostels, stole 33 mobile phones and assaulted some students. Three phones and a cutlass were reportedly recovered at the scene.
The ministry subsequently recommended urgent security measures around the hostels, intensified investigation 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 but declined to provide further details.
“I am on top of the issue. I will not speak; please give me time,” she said.
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