Hundreds of students of the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences, Jalingo, today staged a peaceful protest after a nighttime attack on one of the female dorms outside the institution’s gates.
During the incident, the hoodlums raped a female student and injured her, including amputating one of her fingers, Daily Trust says.
Reports indicate that the event happened early today when the intruders raided the dormitory and dispossessed pupils of their phones and other belongings.
Sources said the man was then transferred to GSCN Hospital in the Mile 6 district of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital city, for treatment.
The recent assault was the second attack on the dorms in two weeks, claimed a students’ union official who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation.
He said the intruders had entered various dorms last week and stolen phones and other items belonging to students.
“Yesterday nite, the hoodlums came in their numbers and attacked one of the female students’ hostel. One of the kids was raped and the students’ phones and other belongings were also taken away.
They also sliced off one of the student’s fingers after raping her. He stated, “She is now admitted in a private hospital at Mile 6 area of Jalingo.”
He said students had protested to the school administration after the first attack, after which the Commissioner for Tertiary Education visited the college and pledged greater security.
“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 claimed.
Students on Wednesday staged a demonstration at the campus gate calling for prompt intervention of the Taraba State government and security authorities to safeguard them from further abuse.
Students also expressed worry over the continuous use of hostels outside the college premises even when the hostel facilities have been completed within the university.
“The college has seven hostels, one for male students and six for females, but even then students were accommodated outside the premises,” stated a students’ union representative.
“We have seven hostels, one for male and six for female but students are all outside the college premises and there is no adequate security which exposes us, the students, to danger,” he said.
The assault came days after the Taraba State Ministry of Tertiary Education visited the College of Nursing Sciences after a reported robbery incident on the students’ dorms.
The government said armed individuals raided the dorms, stole cell phones and abused students.
It stated 33 phones were allegedly stolen and some kids were injured. The ministry’s report said three mobile phones and a cutlass were recovered at the scene.
The ministry thereafter advised urgent security measures around the dormitories, expanded investigation and moving students to safer lodging. It also demanded the completion and activation of new dorms for the college.
The Provost of the College, Dr. Dorcas Dugule, when reached, said she was handling the case but refused to comment immediately.
“I’m on it. I will not speak, give me time, she said.
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