The Nasarawa State Police Command and students of the Federal University, Lafia, have refuted widespread social media reports alleging that over 30 female students were raped during a recent bandit attack on the institution.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ramhan Nansel, described the claims as entirely false, stating that no such incident had been reported or verified.
“That report is false. Bandits entered the school and raped over 30 female students? Our findings show that the report is not true,” Nansel said.
According to him, the police contacted the university’s Chief Security Officer, the institution’s information officer, and several students, none of whom confirmed the incident.
“We also got across to the Chief Security Officer and the school’s information officer, who both confirmed that there was no such incident reported.
We spoke with some students, and they said nothing like that happened. If it truly happened, the students would not keep silent,” he said.
Nansel, however, confirmed that a robbery did occur in the student village area on July 27, during which a phone, a power bank, and a handbag belonging to a student named Jennifer were stolen.
One male student was also injured while attempting to flee from the attackers.
“There was no report of rape. That was the only incident we received. Over 30 female students raped? Haba! If such a thing happened, it would not be hidden.
We are not the cause, and there is no reason to cover it up,” Nansel added.
A student of the institution who identifies as a student leader, posting on X under the handle @deehsarasheed, also refuted the viral report, describing it as fake and misleading.
“This report is fake and stands condemned,” the user wrote. “The incident occurred at the student village, not the main hostel. Several rooms were robbed, and only one student was reportedly raped, according to her own account.”
The student clarified that the main hostels have never been attacked due to strong security presence, noting that the school has four female hostels and only one male hostel.
“I am a student of the school and among the student leaders. The criminals attacked the student village, not the main campus,” the post read.
The university authorities have not issued an official statement on the matter as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the police have urged the public to rely on verified sources and avoid spreading unconfirmed and alarming information.