Bandits Invade FULafia Female Hostel, Multiple Students Allegedly Assaulted

A fresh wave of violence has rocked Nasarawa State as armed bandits reportedly launched a large-scale attack on the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), leaving students traumatised and raising fresh concerns about campus safety.

Sources within the institution, speaking under anonymity, revealed that the university community has been living under constant fear for over two weeks, with rising incidents of abductions, killings, and sexual assaults.

Eyewitnesses claim that the bandits, moving in a coordinated convoy, targeted student-populated areas near the university such as Akunza, Gandu, and Burkan Kwato — known for housing students due to insufficient campus accommodation.

“On July 26th alone, over 30 female students were reportedly raped by the bandits who stormed the student villages in large numbers and vehicles,” said one of the sources.

The attack has drawn comparisons with past tragedies such as the Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirl abductions, with observers decrying the incident as a grim reflection of the state’s inability to guarantee safety and uphold human rights.

According to the source, male students who attempted to resist the assailants were violently attacked. “They were hacked and butchered. The bandits left behind scenes of horror — blood, pain, and deep psychological scars within the university community,” the source added.

However, there has been growing frustration over what appears to be a lack of attention from both the media and political authorities.

“The most disturbing part is the silence. The incident has barely been reported in local or national media. It’s as if there’s a calculated effort by the political elite to suppress the story,” another insider alleged.

Established in 2011, FULafia has struggled with infrastructure challenges, particularly student accommodation. As a result, many students live in off-campus areas that lack adequate security, making them vulnerable to such attacks.

The reported incident has triggered renewed calls for government intervention, with many urging authorities to treat the situation with the urgency it deserves.

In response, Nasarawa State Police Command spokesperson, Ramhan Nansel, denied reports of mass rape. Speaking to SaharaReporters, he provided an alternative account of the event:

“On July 31st, armed robbers attacked the university. During the incident, a female student was robbed of her bag, and a male student was injured while attempting to flee,” Nansel explained.

He described the reports of mass rape as exaggerated: “There is no way 30 students could have been raped in Lafia without the police or university management reacting. It’s a sensational story, and I was shocked to hear such a claim.”

Meanwhile, the university community continues to mourn and demand accountability, as pressure mounts on both the police and government officials to ensure student safety and prosecute the attackers.