Armed Robbers rape 8 students, rob, and injure 15 in Anambra

Not fewer than 10 female students were raped with at least 20 others inflicted with wounds as suspected armed robbers invaded six off-campus student hostels at Ifite, near Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state.

This was barely four days after some hoodlums killed some security men around the area and had been visiting restaurants and bars robbing students and bar owners at gunpoint between 7:00pm and 9:00pm.

Sources told Odogwublog that armed robbers numbering over 20 stormed Ifite road where the hostels are located at about 8:00 pm on Thursday, going from hostel to hostel until 5:00 am the following day (Friday) during which they robbed students of their valuables and raped some female students.

A victim, who simply identified herself as NK, told reporters that the robbers were heavily armed with guns, axes and machetes, adding that the hoodlums made away with their money, phones, laptops and others.

Also speaking, another student who did not want his name mentioned, said those injured by the hoodlums were those who showed some kind of resistance when they knocked at their doors.

“I was in my hostel when we had gunshots that lasted for about 10 minutes and most of us ran to hide at the back of some shops in the area. We are still struggling to discourage one of the female students that were raped from hurting herself further. She was a virgin and they raped her twice and we are holding her because she wants to commit suicide,” he said.

The source added that it was a call placed on Governor Chukwuma Soludo by some notable residents around Ifite that saved the situation as some security personnel came to the scene from 6:00 am to calm the situation.

Meanwhile, the Anambra state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said “our men on getting wind of the information got to Ifite, Awka, and were able to battle the criminals.”

Ikenga said further that a joint meeting between the university authorities and the security operatives was held on Friday with a representative of the Anambra state government.

“This meeting is aimed at addressing the recent stealing, burglaries, cult-related attacks, and other violent incidents in some of the hostels along Ifite. Some of the resolutions were that there shall be another elaborate meeting with the private hostel owners, the president of hostels, and other stakeholders, especially along Ifite.”