Chaos erupted at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, on Sunday night when unidentified assailants, reportedly herdsmen, attacked students, leaving several injured. Most of the victims were first-year students heading to a night lesson when the assault occurred.
One male student suffered severe injuries while trying to defend himself, reportedly losing three fingers. He was rushed to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku. His twin sister was also wounded during the attack. The victim’s mother confirmed the incident via WhatsApp, expressing distress over her children’s injuries.
A source at the university explained that the attack took place around 9pm along Ifite Road, a known dangerous and isolated path. “Being new students, they were naive to have not known that moving through a lonely path at night can be dangerous,” the source said. According to the account, the boy’s sister raised the alarm, which drew attention from nearby individuals who assisted the victims before the university’s security team was alerted.
University officials reportedly visited the injured students at the hospital on Monday morning. The team included the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Kingsley Ubaoji, Chief Security Officer Ken Chukwura, Director of JUPEB Prof. C. Akunne, Sub-Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Anthony Apiti, and a representative from the PRO’s office, Bonny Nkwuaku.
Louis Njelita, the acting Director of Information, Public Relations, and Protocol at UNIZIK, confirmed the attack, stating that the Chief Security Officer has been informed and has taken appropriate actions.
The university community has called for heightened security measures along isolated pathways, particularly at night, to ensure the safety of students and prevent recurrence of such violent incidents.
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