Students of the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences, Jalingo, on Monday protested at the institution’s gate after suspected hoodlums invaded a female hostel, allegedly raped a student and stole personal belongings.
The attackers reportedly stormed the hostel in the early hours of Monday and attacked the occupants before fleeing with mobile phones and other valuables.
A female student was allegedly raped during the incident and suffered injuries, including the loss of one of her fingers.
Sources said the victim was taken to GSCN Hospital around Mile 6 in Jalingo for treatment.
A students’ union official, who spoke anonymously, said the incident had heightened fears among students because it was the second reported attack on their accommodation within two weeks.
According to him, students were also attacked at another hostel the previous week, with phones and other valuables stolen.
“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.
“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.”
The students accused the college authorities of failing to implement promised security measures after the earlier attack.
The union official said the Commissioner for Tertiary Education had visited the institution following the first incident and assured students that security would be strengthened.
“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.
The protesters called on the state government and security agencies to urgently secure the hostels and prevent further attacks.
They also demanded an explanation for the continued accommodation of students outside the college premises despite the reported availability of new hostel facilities within the institution.
The students’ representative said the college had seven hostels, comprising one for male students and six for females, but that students were still housed outside the school premises.
“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 incident came shortly after the Taraba State Ministry of Tertiary Education inspected the college following another reported attack on students’ hostels.
The ministry had said armed men invaded the accommodation, stole 33 mobile phones and assaulted some students. Three phones and a cutlass were reportedly recovered from the scene.
Following its assessment, the ministry recommended improved security around the hostels, intensified investigation into the attacks and the relocation of students to safer accommodation.
It also recommended the completion and commissioning of the college’s new hostel facilities.
The Provost of the college, Dr Dorcas Dugule, confirmed that she was dealing with 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.
