UNICROSS students protest robbery attacks of hostels; barricade school gate

HUNDREDS of students of the University of Cross river (UNICROSS) formerly known as Cross river University of Technology (CRUTECH) on Tuesday barricaded the school gate in protest of constant robbery attacks.

The protest, which was at the main gate of the institution, followed what the students termed constant robbery of female hostels by armed men.

The students, who prevented entrance into the school by teaching, nonteaching staff and visitors said they would remain there until the authorities did something to assuage the fears of the students.

one of the protesting students, david Ekpo, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the robberies of female hostels in the school were becoming one too many.

“This is not the first or second robbery incident but the third this month since we resumed and nothing has been done to improve the security situation in the school. Last night, another female hostel was attacked, rather than protect us, the policemen on campus prefer to chase us around campus,” he said.

A 200 Level female student, who identified herself as Cynthia olam said the robberies, which were becoming too frequent was having a psychological effect on the female students.

“Since the Academic

Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) suspended their strike and they came back, this is the third time they have robbed us.

“The robberies are becoming too frequent and some of us feel so insecure. If the situation does not improve, it will have a terrible impact on our studies, particularly we the girls,” she said.

Efforts to get reactions from the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Austin Amgba and the Public relations office, onen onen, failed as they both declined comments at press time.

NAN reports that in 2021, a male student was stabbed to death for trying to stop a group of robbers, who attacked some girls and snatched their phones. (NAN)