Delta poly students panic, flee hostels over armed robbers’ invasion

By Tayo ABIOLA

Panic stricken students of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state, have deserted most of their out-of-campus hostels in some parts of the community over incessant suspected armed robbers’ attacks.

Sources said the spate of robbery attacks on student hostels started few weeks ago from a neighbouring community, where students reside and later spread to some parts of the Ogwashi-Uku town.

It was learned that victims of the attacks had been dispossessed of valuables such as laptops, handsets and personal effects by the armed hoodlums, who also forced them to transfer money to their accounts.

Though there were initial reports that the school was shut down due to the attacks, the state police command said the reports were untrue.

Speaking on the development, Police Public Relations Officer of the State Command, Mr. Bright Edafe, said, “The school was not shut down. The students are on a yearly mid-term break.”

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up to restore calm to the community.

Edafe said: “As at Saturday, the Area Commander of Ogwashi-Uku and the Divisional Police Officer were at the office of the Commissioner of Police. “The Commissioner of Police has deployed more men to ensure that the incident does not occur again.”

Contacted, Rector of the polytechnic, Prof. Emmanuel Achuenu said the attacks had nothing to do with the institution, emphasizing that the said hostels were rented apartments inside the town and the distances are far from our school.