Female students of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, staged a peaceful protest on Monday following a disturbing armed robbery attack on their hostel, raising serious concerns over safety on campus.
The protest, which saw students march to the university’s Senate Building, was triggered by an early morning raid on Sunday when suspected robbers invaded the female hostel, breaking into multiple rooms and carting away valuables, including mobile phones.
One of the affected students, Fauziyya Abdullahi, described the incident as traumatic, noting that many students now live in fear of a possible repeat attack.
She stressed the urgent need for improved security, stating that the current arrangement is inadequate to protect the large number of residents in the hostel.
“We cannot continue to live in fear. Waiting up to 45 minutes for security personnel to arrive from town is unacceptable, and one security officer cannot safeguard all of us,” she said.
Another victim, Rejoice Duke, recounted that the attackers struck around 2 a.m., forcefully entering rooms and threatening students while demanding either their lives or their belongings. According to her, several valuables were stolen during the operation.
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University management has since reacted to the incident, describing it as unfortunate. The Vice-Chancellor, alongside members of the management team, visited the scene and assured students that steps would be taken to strengthen campus security.
The Head of the Directorate of Information, Zailani Bappah, stated that the university would review the situation and implement improved surveillance measures to prevent future occurrences.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Police Command confirmed that an investigation is underway. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, disclosed that about eight rooms were burgled and approximately 20 mobile phones were stolen during the attack.
He added that efforts are ongoing to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible, noting that the action aligns with broader efforts to sustain the Safe School Initiative.
The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns about security in Nigerian tertiary institutions, with students calling for immediate and lasting solutions to safeguard lives and property on campuses.
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