Students of the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences, Jalingo, staged a protest on Monday following a reported theft and rape case involving one of the school’s female students.
The student, whose identity was withheld, was reportedly attacked by unknown hoodlums who broke into one of the female hostels located outside the institution’s premises.
She was taken to a private hospital in the Mile 6 area of Jalingo for medical attention.
The attack reportedly occurred early Monday morning, with the hoodlums also making away with students’ mobile phones and other valuables.
An unnamed student union official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident was the second attack on the students’ hostels within two weeks.
“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.
“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 added.
The official lamented that although the institution has seven hostels, many students still live off campus.
He said inadequate security continues to expose students to danger.
“We have seven hostels, one for males and six for females, but students are all located outside the premises of the college, and there is no adequate security, which exposes us, the students, to danger,” he stated.
When contacted, the Provost of the college, Dr Dorcas Dugule, acknowledged the report and said she was taking steps on the matter.
“I am on top of the issue. I will not speak; please give me time,” she said.
The spokesperson for the Taraba State Police Command, Victor Mshelizah, confirmed the attack but said he could not verify the rape allegation as of the time of filing the report.
“Yes, such incident happened in the early hours of today. Some hostels were burgled and phones were stolen. But I cannot confirm the rape allegation because I haven’t seen the victim,” he said.
Mshelizah said police operatives were heading to the school, adding that further developments would be communicated.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
