Students in Ekpoma, the seat of Ambrose Ali University, Edo State have lamented the incessant robbery attacks and assaults around the communities, which have risen to a frightening level.
The students are therefore calling on the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase and other relevant security agencies to come to their aide.
Some of the students who spoke with our correspondent on Tuesday night also complained of constant sexual assaults on ladies by the robbers who are also believed to be members of cult groups.
According to a student who gave her name as Favour, the robbery attacks have escalated recently with little or no presence of security men around the host community.
“We are like living with devils here in Ekpoma. Last week, they came to my hostel and attacked us. They carted away with our foodstuffs and money. They even raped some of my fellow students.
“We keep hearing of the same issue everywhere in this community everyday and the police are not doing anything about it. My friend who was raped by the guys yet is yet to recover from the trauma.
“The police authority should come to our aide,” the student said.
Another student who spoke with our reporter on phone said some students were robbed around 1T4 road on Tuesday.
“At about 7pm on Tuesday, they attacked some students around my area. Precisely 1T4 road. The annoying thing is that after robbing the students of their valuables, they also raped the female student among them.
“This is unfair. I think the police authority should come and save us from this nonsense,” the visibly infuriated student who declined anonymity said.
Also speaking on the ugly trend, a 300-level male student said the development is getting out of hand.
“There is no day here we don’t hear of robbery attack. It has become a daily ritual for these heartless people. The worst part it is the new trend of sexual assault on ladies. Honestly, something should be done fast. Police and the relevant security agencies should save our souls from robbers,” the student added.
Our reporter observed that cases of robbery and cultism in Ekpoma is as old as the university in the town, AAU.
The situation was curbed few years back following the formation of Anti-Cult Campaign Organisation of Nigeria (ACCON) in the institution.
However, things fell apart after some daredevil cult members launched an early morning attack on the base of ACCON and killed eight of its members few months after its formation.
Thereafter, cultists infiltrated the group and weakened its structure. Since then, it has lost its valour and it has been unable to tackle the menace in the university
Just last month, members of the NCCF Edo state from Auchi, who were on their way to Benin for a conference were attack in Ekpoma.
Two Corps members were shot but fortunately, it wasn’t fatal.
Several efforts to reach the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Esan West Local Government, Mr. A. A. Shaibu were futile as the police boss was not available for comment at the time of this report.
