Students at the Federal University, Lokoja in North Central Kogi State, Nigeria are shunning on-campus dormitories due to fears of banditry and kidnappings. The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, reported that the two hostels, with a capacity of 500 students, are nearly empty.
The exodus has been fueled by a May 2024 kidnapping incident that left two students dead, a chilling reminder of the dangers lurking within the university gates.
Professor Akinwumi noted that the university is vulnerable to attacks due to the absence of a perimeter fence. Hence, the school management has stopped officially allocating hostel rooms to prioritize safety.
“The school management, teaching and non-teaching staff as well as students
are perpetually in fear of bandits and kidnappers. They hardly stay beyond 6 p.m. on campus,” reported a government delegation after a visit to the public institution.
The situation raises concerns about the well-being of students who may be forced to seek alternative, potentially less secure housing options outside the campus.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
