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.
An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, told Daily Trust that the attackers stormed the hostel at about 2am, armed with machetes, knives and other dangerous weapons.
She said the assailants forced their way into more than 10 rooms, terrorised the students and carted away over 50 mobile phones and other valuables.
“They injured some of the victims, with one student sustaining serious injuries after refusing to surrender her mobile phone,” she said.
The witness said the incident had heightened fear among students over security at the Gubi campus, noting that the institution shares boundaries with nearby villages and thick bushes.
When contacted, the university’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Zailani Bappa, confirmed the incident.
He said the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Hassan Garba, had visited the hostel to sympathise with the affected students and reassure them of the management’s commitment to their safety.
He said the university has taken proactive steps with relevant security agencies to strengthen security on 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 incident has since dominated discussions within the university community and on social media, with many calling for improved security around the hostel and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
Some students also urged the university management to replace the stolen items and deploy more security personnel to the Gubi campus, located on the outskirts of Bauchi metropolis.