Panic broke out late Monday night after gunmen reportedly attacked several off-campus hostels belonging to students of Ekiti State University (EKSU) in Ado-Ekiti, forcing many to flee for safety.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, who were armed, moved from one hostel to another, robbing students of valuables such as mobile phones, laptops, and cash.
A student of the institution with an X (formerly Twitter) handle, @yapperaholicc, also confirmed the incident, noting that such attacks have become frequent in the area.
In a post made around 3:01 a.m. on Tuesday, the student wrote, “Armed men are attacking students in their hostels in EKSU at midnight!!!!!”
@yapperaholicc added that the incident occurred in the Phase 2 area of the university community, saying, “We are supposed to be reading for our exams!!!!!”
The student further lamented, “It has been going on for three days now!!! They are also robbing us. Please help us repost…”
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Ekiti State Police Command, Abutu Sunday, confirmed the attack and disclosed that a suspect had been arrested while investigations are ongoing.
“A suspect has been arrested in connection to the incident and he is currently undergoing investigation, while necessary measures have been put in place to forestall reoccurrence,” the police spokesperson said.
No fatalities have been confirmed so far, and the exact value of items stolen has not yet been determined.
The incident has once again raised concerns over growing insecurity around tertiary institutions in Nigeria, especially in off-campus hostels where students are often exposed due to inadequate security.
In response, students of Ekiti State University have urged the state government and security agencies to strengthen patrols and improve protection in areas surrounding the institution.
