According to the students, Lokoja, the Kogi State capital which is where the university is situated has become a free operational zone for kidnappers and armed robbers who operate every day.
Students of the Federal University, Lokoja in Kogi State, have cried out over the constant attacks, robbery and rape by a gang of armed robbers who invade their residence almost on a daily basis and operate without hindrance.
With hashtag #RescueFULokoja on X platform where the students shared a series of videos of robbery attacks in different locations, calling on security agents to come to their rescue, the students lamented that they went to the university to study but currently, they no longer sleep peacefully as they are attacked, robbed and their female counterparts raped almost on a daily basis by armed robbery gangs.
They lamented that the situation has been made worse by the inactiveness of the police in the university, particularly the only police station in Felele area closes by 10pm, hence, no police patrol van whenever the robbery occurs, saying that the police do not come to their aid despite the escalating security in the area.
According to the students, Lokoja, the Kogi State capital which is where the university is situated has become a free operational zone for kidnappers and armed robbers who operate every day.
One of the students on X, Adebayo Esther Ohunene, @GentleNene342 said, “We can’t sleep peacefully, imagine closing our windows in this hot weather and there’s no light all because we want to stay safe.
“And it still doesn’t guarantee our safety and the fact that they’ll rob and still rape girls is even more scarier. We need helpppp.”
Attached with a video of a broken door and a photo of an injured victim, @Oladapomikky1 wrote, “The insecurity in Felele Lokoja, Kogi State is becoming alarming.
“Armed robbers have been harassing the students of the federal university @fulokoja in Felele, robbing and stealing their money and belongings.
“Felele has been experiencing ev!l scenes for the past few weeks. We hope and urge the state government to do something about this as soon as possible before it gets worse.”
Another student, @Ga_Bri_El777 said, “I had even wanted to move my things there last week in order to avoid transport wahala but the situation looks life threatening and I'm not ready to put myself in any sort of danger. Imagine a police station dey close by 10pm.......please let's do the needful.”
@PopSaint001 said, “How can we the students of @fulokoja be in fear due to insecurity? Police station closes on or before 10pm, are we to protect ourselves? Cause this is where this is going. These arm robbers roam Felele at night, do whatever pleases them with no one to stop them? #RESCUEFULOKOJA.”
“Robbery is currently going on in my friend's street as we speak. Abeg make unna no sleep fa,” another student, @friedfish619 wrote, while @oluwasuntex said that “Students are running from lodges they paid for because they can't sleep peacefully at night, it's now a war zone out here.”
A student, Oshodaud Olanrewaju, @OshodaudO85398 lamented that “I can't sleep at night and having lots of tests tomorrow pls something should be done.”
Also, @BeeherlerA63476 lamented that “Federal University of Lokoja is not safe oo
We no fit sleep for house again and all student don go house finish because of insecurity @KogiPoliceNG @npfl.”
Reacting to the outcry of the students, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said that the school authorities should take up the matter and do the needful.
According to the Force spokesperson, in such a situation, the Chief Security Officer of the university ought to have made some moves to suppress such criminal activities and heinous crimes in the area, adding that he or she has a lot to do.
He further said that the student union leaders can also reach out to the police while the police make findings on the present happenings in the school.
He said, “I think the school authority needs to take up this, and do the needful. When you have a situation like this, the CSO ought to have made some moves to suppress such criminal activities and heinous crimes in the area. He or she has a lot to do.
“The student union leaders can also reach out to us while we make our findings on the present happenings in the school. There are some clarifications we need to make on this, please.”
But the students responded by saying that “Sir, the only police station in Felele closes by 10pm, no patrol van. Whenever we call for help, their reply is that "We should come by 9AM, that they have closed. Please help us, Sir.”
@echezona said, “Force PRO kindly do the needful. You have more than enough information already here. What is reasonably expected of you are assurances of what you have done or doing, not pointing fingers at CSO and SUG after seeing these complaints.”
On how the armed robbers operate, @HusseinGeometr1 said, “Sir they come in a team just like a battalion armed like 30 of them and they operate with confidence no patrol van no security nothing sir come to our rescue students area aren’t safe anymore.”
@MikeTommy01 said, “It really disheartening that there's no Single Security agency that is quite Active or effective around Felele axis..you can imagine student doing vigilante work just to keep the flow of info from one person to another while the Police are there ooh.”
Another student, @Incrediblepaul0 said, “Sir we need Action. We really do.. We can be sleeping with one eye every night.. Meanwhile our parents are home sleeping comfortable thinking their children are safe and sound.”
Another student, @samueloduh2 alleged that “I think even those incharge of PHCN in the Felele exis has questions to answer, because why would it be that whenever they (the armed robbers) wants to operate and abuse students is that same time they (PHCN) will interrupt power and then restore it in the aftermath?”
According to @AchieverAgada, “The security outfit around the students area needs special attention at this point in time.
“We passionately want to appeal to the office of the Commissioner of Police Kogi State to approve more patrol vehicles to police stations around students area (Most especially the B Div).”
@Jonathanpaul477 said, “We are not safe at Felele Lokoja, our phones, money and belongings are being taken from us forcefully which leads to getting us injured!!! We are scared because our lives are at great risk!!!”