Taraba nursing students protest over hostel attack, rape claim

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Students of the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences, Jalingo, have staged a protest on Monday over a reported theft and rape case involving one of the school’s female students.

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The student, whose name was withheld, was reportedly raped after some unknown hoodlums attacked one of the female hostels located outside the institution’s premises, Daily Trust reports.

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After the rape, one of her fingers was reportedly cut off. She was then taken to a private hospital located at the Mile 6 area of Jalingo for medical attention.

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According to the report, the attack occurred early Monday morning.

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The hoodlums were said to have carted away students’ mobile phones and other valuables.

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In a narration by an unnamed student union official, who spoke to Daily Trust on the condition of anonymity as he wasn’t authorised to speak on the matter, he noted that today’s attack was the second on the students’ hostels within two weeks.

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“Yesterday night, the hoodlums came in their numbers and attacked one of the female students’ hostels. They raped one of the students and also carted away phones belonging to the students and other valuables.

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“They also cut one of the fingers of the student after raping her. She is now on admission at a private hospital located at Mile 6 area in Jalingo.

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“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 said.

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The student union official lamented that while the institution has seven hostels, several students still live off the school campus.

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He added that inadequate security posed a threat to the students as it exposes them to danger.

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“We have seven hostels, one for males and six for females, but students are all located outside the premises of the college, and there is no adequate security, which exposes us, the students, to danger,” he stated..

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When contacted by Daily Trust, the Provost of the college, Dr Dorcas Dugule, acknowledged the report and said she was taking steps on the matter.

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“I am on top of the issue. I will not speak; please give me time,” she said.

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When contacted by our correspondent, the spokesperson for the Traba State Police Command, Victor Mshelizah, confirmed the attack. However, he said he wasn’t aware of any rape incident as of the time of filing this report.

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“Yes, Such incident happened in the early hours of today. Some hostels were burgled and phones were stolen. But I cannot confrim the rape allegation because I haven’t seen the victim,” he said.

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The police spokesperson noted that “we are heading down to the school now,” adding that further developments would be communicated.

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