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Robbers loot, injure several, rape ladies in Anambra UNIZIK hostels (update)

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An unspecified horde of robbers armed with guns, matchets, axes and knives have attacked some off-campus hostels of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka in Anambra State.

A young female student, name withheld, reported the midnight robbery attack to News Band on Thursday, January 19, via telephone.

According the student, the robbers looted students’ properties, injured several, and raped some female students in the process.

According to her, a gang of suspected armed robbers, numbering about twenty, reportedly raided scores of hostels located along Ifite road, Awka, around 12.30 AM, shoting sporadically, robbing and raping girls for hours.

The robbers went from room to room, hostel to hostel, raping female students and dispossessing them of their phones, ipads, money and other valuables with no security presence in sight.

She said: “Since this year started, the robberies have been increasing. They are now robbing every day.

“Yesterday night, they raped some girls after the robbery. They break doors and enter the lodge.

“Sometimes they enter the lodge and wait till 3 AM before they start robbery so that nobody can be able to go out or call for help and the school is not saying or doing anything about it. ”

When asked about any security or vigilante outfit within the neighbourhood, she said there is none whatsoever.

News Band correspondent asked if the students have complained to the school authorities and she responded in the affirmative.

She said: “We have written letters to the VC and the school authorities but the VC has not even said anything; just the SUG that is saying that we should remain calm but they are still not doing anything.”

Asked what she believes is the solution to the ugly situation, she demanded security presence in and around the school, especially at night, as from 8-9 PM.

“LIke now… this night, they are robbing this night. There was power outage and once the lights were off, they started robbing a lodge close to school gate.

“So we’re thinking if they will bring in security personnel and if the light could be steady at night,” she added.

The Police Command on Friday met with the university management, Student Union Government, Commissioner of Homeland Security Affairs, towards addressing prevailing security breaches in some of the students’ hostels in the area.

Anambra Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, who was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, John Obuagbaka, at the meeting, stressed the need for cooperation and actionable intelligence.

He said the command had since embarked on intensive patrol, improved operational positioning, and deployment of covert operatives as a solution to the security situation in the area.

He listed some of the fallout from the meeting to include another elaborate meeting with private hostel owners, president of hostels and other stakeholders on the need to provide securities to the hotels.

“Among other concerns, the command also wishes to reiterate the control room number 07039194332. Furthermore, to request security services, you can call the Area Commander, Awka 07067950441, DPO B Division 08064521837, DPO Central Police Station, Awka, 07031583583, and the Command Public Relations Officer 08039334002 for prompt response,” Ikenga added.

Confirming the presence of police authorities in the school neighbourhood, the student stated via WhatsApp on Friday:

“Good evening sir. They’ve brought in some security personnels today to patrol. I think their name is Blue Shield.” Read more.

 

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