Bandits on Thursday night attacked an off-campus students’ hostel of Bilyaminu Usman Polytechnic, Hadejia, Jigawa State, injuring two students and carting away several mobile phones.
The incident happened around midnight at the male hostel located along Malam Madori road, witnesses told Punch Newspaper.
“They stormed the place with weapons, assaulted students and took away phones. Some of them tried to abduct our colleagues but they couldn’t because people raised alarm,” a student who pleaded anonymity said.
Another eyewitness, Tukur Danlami, said neighbours from surrounding communities rushed to the scene after hearing shouts and screams, forcing the attackers to flee.
Confirming the attack, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Shi’isu Adam, said the gunmen struck at an isolated hostel rented by students.
“From our records, two students were seriously injured during the attack. They were taken to Hadejia General Hospital but have since been discharged,” he said.
He added that policemen responded promptly to a distress call and that investigations were ongoing to apprehend the attackers.
A youth leader in the area, Garba Ibrahim, described the incident as worrisome and urged government to strengthen security around the institution.
“The people here are terrified. We call on the authorities to provide more patrols and ensure the safety of our youths,” he said.
Efforts to reach the management of the polytechnic for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.