Hundreds of students from the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences in Jalingo staged a peaceful protest on Monday following an overnight attack on one of the female hostels located outside the institution's premises. The protest was sparked by an incident in which hoodlums allegedly raped a female student and inflicted injuries on her, including cutting one of her fingers. The attack occurred in the early hours of Monday when the assailants invaded the hostel, stealing phones and other valuables from the students.
According to a students' union official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the latest incident was the second attack on the students' hostels within two weeks. The previous week, attackers had raided some hostels and stolen phones and other valuables belonging to students. The official stated that despite complaints to the school authorities, no adequate security measures were put in place to prevent further attacks. The students' union official also revealed that the victim was taken to GSCN Hospital in the Mile 6 area of Jalingo for treatment.
The students' union official expressed frustration that the college authorities had not done enough to ensure the students' safety, despite previous incidents. He stated that following the first attack, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education had visited the college and promised to improve security, but nothing had been done. The official also raised concerns about the continued use of hostels located outside the college premises, despite the completion of hostel facilities within the institution.
The college has seven hostels, one for male students and six for females, but students are still accommodated outside the premises due to a lack of adequate security. This, according to the students' union official, exposes the students to danger. The students subsequently staged a protest at the college gate on Monday, demanding urgent intervention by the Taraba State Government and security agencies to protect them from further attacks.
The protesting students also called for the relocation of students to safer accommodation, specifically the newly completed hostels within the college premises. They expressed concerns that the current situation made them vulnerable to attacks. The students are demanding that the authorities take immediate action to address their concerns and ensure their safety.
The Taraba State Ministry of Tertiary Education had visited the College of Nursing Sciences following a reported robbery attack on students' hostels. The ministry's report stated that armed men had invaded the hostels, stolen 33 mobile phones, and assaulted students. Three phones and a cutlass were recovered at the scene. The ministry recommended urgent security measures, intensified investigation, and the relocation of students to safer accommodation.
The Provost of the college, Dr. Dorcas Dugule, confirmed that she was handling the matter but declined to comment immediately. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of students in the college, and the need for urgent action to prevent further attacks. The students are yet to receive a formal response from the authorities on the actions they will take to address their concerns.
Key points
- The students of Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences are demanding urgent intervention by the Taraba State Government and security agencies to protect them from further attacks.
- The college authorities had been informed of previous incidents but had not taken adequate measures to prevent further attacks.
- The students are calling for the relocation of students to safer accommodation, specifically the newly completed hostels within the college premises.
