Government Moves to Strengthen Security
Students Demand Safer Accommodation
Military Checkpoint Planned
Probe Into Fresh Attacks, Alleged Phone-Smashing Incident
JALINGO — Fresh tension has erupted at the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences, Jalingo, following student protests over reported attacks on students’ hostels, including an alleged sexual assault, injuries and theft of mobile phones and other valuables.
The latest incident, reported in the early hours of Monday at an off-campus female hostel, sparked protests by students who demanded immediate government and security intervention. Students alleged that a female colleague was sexually assaulted, beaten and robbed of her phone during the attack, while other students reportedly lost their belongings.
The incident came only days after another reported invasion of students’ accommodation, during which the Taraba State Ministry of Tertiary Education said 33 mobile phones were stolen, some students injured and three phones and a cutlass recovered.
The protest was further fuelled by an allegation that the College Provost, Dr. Dorcas S. Dugule, seized and smashed the phone of a female student during the demonstration. The allegation remains unverified, while the college management had not publicly responded to the claim at the time of filing this report.
GOVERNMENT INTERVENES
The growing security concerns prompted a meeting between the Secretary to the Taraba State Government, student leaders and security authorities.
According to the National Union of Taraba State Students, the government assured students of stronger and sustained security around the college and surrounding communities.
The Nigerian Army also reportedly announced plans to establish a military checkpoint around Yagai community and the school environment.
The government was further reported to have taken responsibility for the welfare of the student allegedly sexually assaulted during the latest incident.
HOSTEL CONSTRUCTION
The issue of student accommodation also featured prominently at the meeting.
Government officials reportedly informed the student representatives that construction of the college’s permanent hostel had been completed, with furnishing remaining before students can be moved into the facility.
Students have continued to demand urgent relocation from vulnerable off-campus accommodation.
POLICE INVESTIGATION
The Police confirmed that an attack occurred at the students’ accommodation but said the allegation of rape had not been independently confirmed at the time of its initial response.
Authorities are expected to investigate the reported attacks, alleged sexual assault, theft of students’ belongings and the circumstances surrounding the confrontation between the Provost and the protesting student.
DANJI SS CAMPAIGN COUNCIL REACTS
The Danji SS Campaign Council has also called for urgent intervention, urging the state government, security agencies, Ministries of Health and Tertiary Education and institutional authorities to strengthen security around tertiary institutions.
The campaign council also appealed for restraint in handling the protest, urging authorities to respect students’ right to peacefully express their grievances while addressing their security concerns.
The unfolding crisis has renewed questions about security arrangements around the college, student accommodation and the effectiveness of mechanisms for responding to students’ complaints.
For now, students are demanding concrete action to guarantee their safety, while attention turns to the implementation of the government’s promised security measures and the outcome of investigations into the reported incidents.
