Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE Provost of the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences, Dr Mrs Dorcas Dugule, has finally broken her silence over the violent students’ protest that has gripped the institution, following the alleged rape of an 18-year-old female student.
Speaking through the Deputy Provost, Mr Khikanda Agyo Yavini, the Provost confirmed that the victim was attacked and raped outside the hostel in the late hours of the night.
“The victim was walking at late night, and was attacked and raped,” Mr Yavini stated.
He disclosed that all efforts by the Provost, heads of security agencies, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tertiary Institutions and the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to calm the situation had proved abortive, though consultations were ongoing.
Expressing confidence in the Provost’s leadership, Mr Yavini said: “The Provost is capable of handling the situation. She is trying her best. I am learning under her.”
He added that management was collaborating with security agencies to address the crisis.
“The Management is on top of the matter and is working to prevent further occurrence. We are appealing to students to remain calm and allow security agencies to carry out their investigations,” he said.
According to him, the students are demanding security in their temporary hostels pending the completion of and relocation to the permanent site. “Police have agreed to deploy their men to the hostels,” he revealed.
Police Promise Action
Addressing the protesting students, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Didango Shehu, said the Command had received a report of the invasion in which suspected hoodlums attacked a female hostel located outside the main campus and dispossessed students of their belongings.
He confirmed that the police were aware that one of the female students was allegedly raped during the attack, adding that investigations had commenced to arrest the perpetrators.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police has directed the immediate deployment of more patrol teams to the affected community and other student-dominated areas to forestall further occurrence.
He assured students and the general public that the police would not relent in their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property in the state.
Tension As Students Protest
Tension reportedly gripped students of the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences as they staged a protest over renewed concerns about their safety within the institution’s residential facilities.
The protest followed reports that an 18-year-old girl was raped around 8pm by some street urchins while returning from reading in preparation for her examination. She was allegedly attacked, sexually assaulted, beaten and dispossessed of her belongings.
The latest development reportedly occurred barely one week after armed men allegedly invaded a hostel with machetes, injured students and carted away over 20 mobile phones belonging to students.
The students alleged that a fresh attack occurred at the Sambisa Forest Hostel area, where private hostels are located outside the main campus, and that a female student was allegedly assaulted, beaten and robbed during the invasion.
Students Speak
Some of the students interviewed said: “We are demanding urgent action from the College Provost, Taraba State Government and security agencies to secure hostels and ensure justice.
“Security concerns around the College area have been long-standing and we are calling for increased patrols and the commissioning of on-campus hostels.
“We call on the Taraba State Government, Ministry of Health and security agencies to investigate and protect students immediately.”
The latest allegations of assault were yet to be officially confirmed by the police as of press time.
Growing Concern
The sequence of incidents has intensified calls from students and other stakeholders for immediate action to strengthen security around the college and its hostels.
Students are reportedly demanding improved surveillance, adequate security personnel and effective measures to prevent further attacks on residents of the facility.
The incidents are expected to come under investigation by the relevant authorities, with stakeholders urging prompt action to protect students and restore a sense of security within the institution.
The rate of attacks on students in educational institutions is becoming increasingly alarming.
According to the students, the situation has reportedly reached a disturbing level, with the latest incident involving the alleged rape of a final-year student. Students also allege that attackers forced some victims to disclose their passwords.
Students living off campus at Taraba State University have reportedly faced similar attacks, with some incidents involving dangerous weapons such as knives and machetes. A similar pattern has also been reported among off-campus students of Taraba State Polytechnic and the Taraba State College of Agriculture, Science and Technology.
Stonix News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as events unfold.
