One suspect has been arrested following a midnight attack on student hostels in the Phase 2 area of Ekiti State University (EKSU), as security operatives moved swiftly to contain a situation that sent students fleeing their residences in panic late Monday night.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ekiti State Police Command, Abutu Sunday, confirmed the arrest, stating that the suspect is currently undergoing interrogation. "A suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident, and he is currently undergoing investigation, while necessary measures have been put in place to forestall recurrence," he stated, adding that additional security measures have been deployed to prevent further occurrences.
Eyewitness accounts described scenes of chaos as suspected armed assailants launched coordinated attacks on the hostels, allegedly looting valuables including mobile phones, laptops, and cash. No casualties have been reported, though the full scale of losses remains unclear as affected students continue to assess stolen items.
A student posting on X, formerly Twitter, under the handle @yapperaholicc, alleged that the attacks were not isolated, claiming they had occurred for three consecutive nights. "Armed men are attacking students in their hostels in EKSU at midnight," the user wrote.
The incident has reignited concerns over the safety of students residing in off campus hostels, where security presence is often minimal, and infrastructure is inadequate. Students have since called on the Ekiti State Government and security agencies to intensify patrols, improve surveillance, and enforce stricter safety measures in student populated areas.
The attack adds to a growing national conversation on campus insecurity across Nigeria, particularly in university towns where students frequently live in privately owned accommodations with limited protection. Stakeholders continue to stress the need for coordinated action between university authorities, host community leaders, and law enforcement agencies to ensure that campuses remain safe environments for learning and personal development.
