Panic and chaos erupted late Monday night as a gang of gunmen launched a coordinated attack on students’ hostels at Ekiti State University, EKSU, in Ado-Ekiti. The attackers reportedly stormed the off-campus residence area under the cover of darkness, forcing many students to scamper for safety into nearby bushes. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the robbers moved methodically from room to room, dispossessing students of their hard-earned valuables during the dead of night.
The incident has left the university community in a state of shock, with many students expressing fear for their lives as the examination period approaches. Victims reported that the armed men carted away high-end mobile phones, laptops, and significant amounts of cash intended for school fees and upkeep. This latest breach of security has sparked a wave of outcry among the student body, who are now calling for more permanent security solutions in the area.
Recurring security breaches at the university phase 2
A student of the institution, using the X handle @yapperaholicc, confirmed the harrowing experience in a post that quickly went viral in the early hours of Tuesday. The user noted that the attack occurred specifically in the Phase 2 area of the university community, which has become a hotspot for such activities. According to the student, the Monday night raid was not an isolated event but part of a three-day spree of terror in the neighborhood.
“We are supposed to be reading for our exams! It has been going on for three days now!” the student lamented in the post. The outcry highlights the psychological toll these constant attacks are taking on the academic performance of the students. Many residents of the affected hostels claim that the lack of adequate street lighting and regular security patrols has made them easy targets for the underworld.
Police confirm arrest of a suspect in connection to the raid
The Ekiti State Police Command has officially confirmed the attack and disclosed that a suspect is already in custody. Police Public Relations Officer, Abutu Sunday, stated that the arrested individual is currently undergoing interrogation to help identify and track down other members of the gang. He assured the university community that the command is doing everything within its power to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Abutu Sunday emphasized that the police have already put necessary measures in place to forestall any reoccurrence of such a breach. “A suspect has been arrested in connection to the incident, and further investigation is going on,” the police spokesperson said. While the arrest provides some level of relief, the students remain skeptical about the long-term safety of the off-campus residential zones.
Students demand intensified patrols and better protection
In the wake of the attack, the Students’ Union Government, SUG, has issued a strong call to the Ekiti State Government to intervene. They are demanding an immediate increase in the frequency of security patrols, especially during the midnight hours when these criminals operate. The students argue that their status as a vulnerable group makes it imperative for the government to provide specialized protection around the institution’s satellite communities.
Beyond the increase in police presence, the students are also advocating for a complete overhaul of the security architecture in Ado-Ekiti’s university suburbs. They suggest that the installation of CCTV cameras and better collaboration between local vigilantes and the police could help curb the menace. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring that no other student has to face such a traumatic experience while pursuing their education.
