The Taraba State Ministry of Tertiary Education has visited the College of Nursing Sciences, Jalingo, following a robbery attack on students at their hostels in the early hours of September 17, 2026.
The ten-man delegation, led by the Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Solomon Daniel Nathaniel, comprised directors and other officials of the Ministry.
The delegation was received by the Registrar, Provost and management team of the College. The Secretary explained that the Commissioner and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry were away on official engagements but had directed the delegation to inspect the scene and assess the security situation for appropriate action.
According to the Provost, armed men invaded the students’ hostels, dispossessed them of valuables, particularly mobile phones, and assaulted some students. No life was lost in the incident.
During an inspection of Baushe Calvin Hostel, the female hostel, the delegation was informed that 13 mobile phones were stolen, while approximately 20 students were beaten by the attackers. Three mobile phones and one cutlass were reportedly recovered at the scene.
At Dr. Gagare Ayuba Hostel, the male hostel, another 20 mobile phones were stolen, while one student sustained serious injuries. None of the stolen phones from the male hostel was recovered.
The figures put the total number of phones reportedly stolen during the attack at 33, with three recovered, while several students sustained injuries.
The College management said the incident was promptly reported to the Police and the College Security Unit, whose personnel visited the scene on the night of the attack.
However, the College disclosed that no arrest had been made as of the time of the Ministry’s visit.
HOSTEL RELOCATION
The Provost also raised concerns over the future of the accommodation currently occupied by students, informing the delegation that the three hostels reportedly used by the College had been sold and that the institution had been served notice to vacate the premises by November 2026.
She appealed to the Ministry to urgently facilitate the relocation of students to safer and suitable accommodation, preferably within the College campuses, to improve security and prevent a recurrence.
MINISTRY RECOMMENDS URGENT ACTION
Following its assessment, the delegation recommended urgent security measures around the existing student hostels and intensified surveillance and investigation by relevant security agencies.
It also recommended immediate engagement with the College and relevant contractors to explore safer accommodation for students, as well as priority completion and commissioning of the new student hostels.
The delegation further called for engagement with relevant authorities over the reported sale of the three rented hostels and the impending November 2026 vacation notice.
It also recommended adequate attention to the welfare and medical needs of students injured during the attack.
The Ministry of Tertiary Education assured students, parents and the general public that the safety and welfare of students remain a priority.
The Ministry said further action would be taken after the delegation submits its report to the Commissioner for Tertiary Education.
The statement was signed by Naphtali Abednego Tsokwa, Acting Public Relations Officer, Taraba State Ministry of Tertiary Education.
