Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Students at Ekiti State University (EKSU) have raised alarm over a spike in armed robbery attacks targeting student hostels, particularly in the Phase 2 section of the campus, prompting urgent calls for enhanced security and intervention from state authorities and law enforcement. The incidents have heightened fear and anxiety among the student community, especially as many are in the midst of examinations and academic activities.
According to a statement released by the Students’ Union, these attacks are part of a recurring pattern that has seen multiple hostels invaded by suspected armed robbers. In late March 2026, suspected criminals struck more than five off-campus hostels in the Iworoko area, forcibly entering rooms and carting away valuables such as phones, laptops, and cash. Several students reported injuries, including one who sustained a serious head injury from a machete during one of the raids.
Eyewitness accounts describe attackers operating at night, around 2:00 am to 4:00 am, moving in groups — sometimes numbering between 20 and 30 — armed with firearms, machetes, and cutlasses. At Rosmat Hostel, all 21 rooms were reportedly broken into, with students robbed of their possessions. At Grace Hostel, attackers broke doors and windows, leaving students’ rooms ransacked and valuables taken, with two students sustaining cuts during the incident. At Mercy Hostel, residents initially retreated indoors, but the intruders later forced entry, stealing items before leaving.
The violence has had a noticeable psychological impact on the student body. Surveys indicate a significant rise in students feeling unsafe, with many expressing concern about their personal security and peace of mind.
Students have also taken to social media to express their fears, reporting that armed men have been entering hostels at midnight, breaking into rooms, and taking belongings, often leaving occupants too frightened to resist. One student described the situation as ongoing for several days, stressing the urgency for intervention as exams continue.
The Ekiti State Police Command confirmed the attacks, acknowledging that officers responded after being alerted. Police said one suspect has been arrested in connection with the incidents and is currently under investigation, while efforts continue to identify and apprehend others involved and prevent further attacks.
In their statement, the Students’ Union condemned the robberies as serious security breaches threatening students’ safety and academic performance. They called for immediate action from the Ekiti State Government, university management, and security agencies. Measures urged include sustained motorised patrols around the university, improved streetlights and surveillance in vulnerable areas, functional rapid-response hotlines, and increased coordination between student groups and law enforcement.
The Union reassured students that it has engaged with authorities to enhance security presence and address the root causes of the attacks, promising that efforts are underway to implement concrete and sustainable measures to halt the violence. Students were also urged to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity promptly, and avoid moving alone at night until normalcy is restored.
The wave of robberies has significantly heightened anxiety among students, who fear for their safety and possessions, particularly in off-campus hostels that are often less protected than on-campus facilities. Student leaders and community advocates continue to press for urgent and sustained intervention, emphasising that student safety must be prioritised to ensure that academic activities are not disrupted by fear or violence.
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