Some gun-wielding robbers have reportedly raided a hostel of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State and raped about nine female students of the university.
The incident happened in the early hours of Friday and is coming barely four days after students were attacked by gunmen at bars and restaurants in the area.
It was gathered that the armed robbers numbering about 20 and armed with various weapons including guns, axes and matchets, stormed the hostel located at Ifite road in Awka, the state capital and shot indiscriminately as they moved from room to room robbing the students of their valuables and raping the female students.
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Some students of the institution who spoke about the incident on the condition of anonymity said that they (students) were at the hostel when they suddenly started hearing gunshots which lasted for about ten minutes, compelling them to run for their lives and hide at the back of some shops in the area.
From their hiding place, they heard a loud noise of female students shouting for help but nobody could summon the courage to stop the armed robbers as they were fully armed and some persons who attempted to resist the robbers were seriously beaten and injured.
According to the students, one of the female students, who was reportedly raped, had been attempting to commit suicide but being held back by her fellow students.
It was gathered that while the incident was going on, a call was placed to the state Governor, Charles Soludo, who immediately ordered security operatives to respond and arrest the robbers.
Meanwhile, confirming the incident to newsmen in the state, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said, “Our men on getting wind of the information got to Ifite, Awka, and were able to battle the criminals.”
Ikenga did not reveal the number of the armed robbers who were arrested during the operation as he said that disclosing the numbers would interrupt police investigations into the incident.
However, the management of the university has not made any statement on the incident at the time of filing this report.
