In a horrifying and deeply troubling incident, armed bandits in the early hours of Monday attacked several female student hostels in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, leaving behind a trail of trauma, violence, and unanswered questions.
The attack, which targeted off-campus lodges housing students of the Federal University of Lafia, reportedly occurred in three densely populated student areas , Akunza, Gandu, and Burkann Kwato. These locations are known to accommodate hundreds of students due to the university’s limited on-campus accommodation facilities.
Eyewitnesses and survivors narrated harrowing scenes as the assailants, armed with dangerous weapons, moved from room to room, raping over 30 female students and inflicting machete wounds on several male students who attempted to resist or raise alarm.
“It was like a nightmare. They broke into our lodge around 2 am, shouting and threatening. They dragged many of my friends out and raped them. Some of us were hiding under the beds, trembling,” a survivor said through tears.
Reports also indicated that the bandits operated unhindered for hours, with no response from security agencies during the attack. By the time community vigilantes and locals began to mobilize, the attackers had vanished into the nearby bushes.
Shocking videos and photos circulating on social media show blood-stained rooms, broken doors, and students being taken to hospitals for emergency medical treatment and psychological support.
As of press time, both the management of the Federal University of Lafia and the Nasarawa State Police Command have not issued any official statement regarding the attack — a silence that has sparked outrage among students, parents, and civil society groups.
Many are calling for an immediate investigation and urgent action to secure student communities across the state.
Human rights organizations have also condemned the attack, describing it as a gross violation of human dignity and a complete breakdown of law and order.
“This is a national emergency. These young women are Nigeria’s future. The government must not only ensure their safety but also bring the perpetrators of this evil to justice,” said Dr. Halima Bashir of the Centre for Women’s Security and Rights.
Parents of affected students have begun trooping to Lafia, some expressing regret for allowing their children to study in an environment that now feels more like a war zone than a university community.
The incident comes amid growing insecurity across Nigeria’s educational institutions, with increasing calls for the federal government to implement a nationwide Safe School Programme to protect students from terrorism, kidnapping, and sexual violence.
As the nation grapples with this heartbreaking episode, students of the Federal University of Lafia have announced plans to stage a peaceful protest, demanding justice, compensation, and the immediate deployment of security personnel to all off-campus student communities.
