The Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has debunked the story trending in a section of the media to the effect that gunmen recently invaded some off-campus hostels of the institution, and raped some female students after robbing them of cash and valuables.
But the institution, through a statement by its Acting Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Chika Ene, said that “there have been some robbery incidents in the Ifite axis where most off-campus students’ lodge are domiciled. It is, however, untrue from preliminary investigations that such level of rape incident occurred.”
The university also said that aside engaging the services of a private security agency to assist in fighting crime within the students’ area, it has also held a crucial meeting with officials of the State government and the Nigeria Police Force as part of efforts to provide maximum security in the university environment.
Also, the Anambra State Police Command said it has no record of such incident as being peddled, and in the same vein urged victims of such incident, if there is any, to come forward with information that will assist the police to embark on investigation.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer Tochukwu Ikenga, the report of rape is mischievous, false, unconfirmed and likely to cause tension and bring the state to disrepute and advises the public to disregard the report while warning such information peddlers to desist as they will not be spared when apprehended.
The increasing insecurity in the Ifite Awka axis, including cult related attacks, has raised concerns and the University Authority, the Anambra State Commissioner for Homeland Security Affairs, and the Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, held a meeting at the Vice Chancellor ‘s office to find ways to address the security breaches.
Ikenga assured that the area is calm, advising the public to report any criminal incident to the police to enable them do proper investigation and arrests, rather than resorting to social media.