ARMED hoodlums invaded the female hostel of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Gubi Campus, Bauchi, in the early hours of Monday, robbing students of mobile phones and other valuables during a violent overnight attack.
News Point Nigeria reports that the attackers reportedly stormed the hostel at about 2 a.m., armed with machetes, knives and other dangerous weapons, forcing their way into several rooms and terrorising students.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the assailants broke into more than 10 rooms within the hostel, making away with over 50 mobile phones and other valuables belonging to the students.
According to the witness, some of the victims sustained injuries during the attack, with one female student reportedly suffering serious injuries after refusing to surrender her mobile phone.
“They injured some of the victims, with one student sustaining serious injuries after refusing to surrender her mobile phone,” the eyewitness said.
She added that the incident has heightened fear among students over security at the Gubi Campus, noting that the institution shares boundaries with nearby villages and thick bushes, making it vulnerable to criminal activities.
When contacted, the university’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Zailani Bappa, confirmed the incident.
He disclosed that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Hassan Garba, had visited the female hostel to sympathise with the affected students and reassure them of the university management’s commitment to ensuring their safety.
Bappa further stated that the university has already taken proactive steps in collaboration with relevant security agencies to strengthen security across the campus.
“The incident has been reported to the police. They have deployed personnel to the campus, taken statements from the affected students and commenced investigation,” he said.
The attack has since dominated discussions within the university community and across social media platforms, with many calling for improved security around the female hostel and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
Some students also appealed to the university management to replace the stolen items and deploy more security personnel to the Gubi Campus, which is located on the outskirts of Bauchi metropolis.
