Students of the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences in Jalingo staged a protest on Monday over a reported attack on one of the school's female hostels located outside the institution's premises. The attack, which occurred early Monday morning, involved a group of unknown hoodlums who carted away students' mobile phones and other valuables. A female student was reportedly raped during the attack, and one of her fingers was cut off.
According to an unnamed student union official who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity, this was the second attack on the students' hostels within two weeks. The official expressed disappointment that despite complaints to the school authorities and a promise from the Commissioner of Tertiary Education to improve security, no measures had been taken. The student union official also noted that several students live off the school campus, which poses a threat to their safety due to inadequate security.
The Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences has seven hostels, one for males and six for females, but many students reside outside the college premises. This has raised concerns about their safety and security. The student union official lamented that the lack of adequate security exposes students to danger. The institution's authorities had been informed about the security concerns, but no significant actions had been taken.
The Provost of the college, Dr. Dorcas Dugule, acknowledged the report and said she was taking steps to address the issue. However, she declined to comment further, citing the need for time to investigate the matter. The spokesperson for the Taraba State Police Command, Victor Mshelizah, confirmed the attack, stating that some hostels were burgled and phones were stolen.
The police spokesperson, however, was not aware of any rape incident as of the time of filing the report. He noted that the police were heading to the school to investigate the matter and promised that further developments would be communicated. The police's response to the incident is being awaited by the students and the general public.
The attack on the hostel has raised concerns about the safety and security of students in the institution. The students are demanding improved security measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The incident has also sparked a debate about the need for better security arrangements for students living off campus.
The incident is under investigation, and the authorities are expected to take measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The students are hopeful that the authorities will take their concerns seriously and take concrete steps to improve their safety and security. The institution's management is yet to release an official statement on the incident.
Key points
- The Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences students protested over a reported attack on one of the school's female hostels, which resulted in a rape allegation and theft of valuables.
- The attack is the second incident within two weeks, raising concerns about the safety and security of students living off campus.
- The institution's authorities have acknowledged the incident and promised to take steps to address the security concerns.
