Taraba Nursing College students protest alleged rape, hostel invasion

Hundreds of students of the Taraba State College of Nursing Sciences, Jalingo, on Monday, September 21, staged a peaceful protest following a reported attack on the institution’s hostels in which a female student was allegedly raped and injured.

The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Thursday, September 17, when suspected attackers allegedly broke into both the female and male hostels.

According to reports, the assailants stole 33 mobile phones and assaulted some of the students during the attack.

A female student was allegedly raped during the incident and sustained injuries, including an injury that reportedly resulted in one of her fingers being cut.

READ ALSO; Port Harcourt youths protest alleged Police killing of 22-year-Old UNIPORT graduate

The development triggered concern among students, who took to the streets on Monday to protest the security situation and demand urgent measures to protect residents of the institution.

The protesters called for improved security around the hostels and immediate action to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

The Taraba State Ministry of Tertiary Education, following a visit to the institution, called for stronger security arrangements and an intensified investigation into the incident.

The ministry also directed that urgent steps be taken to relocate students to safer accommodation while measures are put in place to prevent a recurrence.

As of the ministry’s visit, no arrest had reportedly been made in connection with the attack.

The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of students living in off-campus and institutional accommodation, with students and stakeholders expected to continue engaging authorities over measures to strengthen security around the college.