Robbers invade Ebonyi College of Health female hostel, 9 students injured

Nine students of the Ebonyi State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ngbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area, were injured and hospitalised after suspected armed robbers invaded the institution’s female hostel in the early hours of June 8.

Chetachi Chibueze Jerry-Usulor, the Provost of the college, who briefed journalists on Wednesday at the institution, however, dismissed reports that any student was missing following the incident, stressing that all students had been accounted for.

According to her, the attackers stormed the female hostel at about 1:20 a.m., dispossessing students of mobile phones, cash, ATM cards and other valuables.

Usulor said she immediately alerted security agencies, including the police, local vigilante security personnel and other relevant authorities, who responded swiftly to the distress call.

“I called the police control room, the divisional police headquarters and homeland security personnel. As people started arriving at the scene, the hoodlums fled,” she said.

The provost attributed the security breach partly to the institution’s vast unfenced land area, noting that although the Ebonyi State Government had previously released funds for fencing, additional resources were required to complete the project.

She explained that the attackers escaped through one of several access points around the campus after noticing the arrival of security personnel and hearing approaching voices from nearby residents.

Clarifying the circumstances surrounding the injuries sustained by the students, Usulor said the victims were not directly assaulted by the robbers but were injured while attempting to escape.

“Some of the students living upstairs jumped through windows out of fear or while trying to hide their phones. Those currently receiving treatment sustained injuries from the fall,” she explained.

She added that the affected students were taken to the hospital for medical examinations, including X-rays and scans, to determine the extent of their injuries.

About nine students are receiving medical attention. We want to be sure there are no complications involving their spinal cords or waists before they are discharged,” she added.

The provost dismissed rumours that some students were missing after the attack, insisting that every student in the hostel had been accounted for.

She, however, disclosed that there were suspicions of insider involvement, revealing that some victims alleged the attackers repeatedly demanded to know the whereabouts of a particular individual.

Usulor further alleged that a female was seen among the attackers and was reportedly directing them to specific rooms within the hostel.

“That is one of the issues the police are investigating. It is their responsibility to determine whether anyone was involved in aiding the attackers,” she stated.

On security arrangements, the provost explained that male security personnel were stationed outside the female hostel because there were no female security officers available to reside within the facility.

She added that security personnel on duty during the incident were already being questioned by the police as part of ongoing investigations.

To prevent a recurrence, the college management has met with security stakeholders in Ohaukwu Local Government Area and agreed on enhanced security measures.

According to her, police officers, local vigilantes and homeland security personnel will now provide round-the-clock security coverage for the institution.

She expressed confidence that the involvement of local security operatives would help identify the perpetrators, particularly as reports indicated that the attackers communicated in the Ngbo dialect.

Ernest Chukwudi Nwobasi, the President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), confirmed that armed robbers attacked the female hostel and dispossessed students of phones, money and ATM cards.

He appealed to the Ebonyi State Government to strengthen security around the institution and address critical infrastructure challenges affecting the college.

The student leader specifically called for improved security deployment, completion of the institution’s perimeter fencing and support for accreditation requirements, which he said were necessary for the institution’s academic development.

As of the time of filing this report, the Ebonyi State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.