It is no longer news that the University of Calabar, UNICAL hostel, particularly the female hostel (Hall 9), has transformed into a hotspot for theft.
Despite the rising public outcry from students, both the Students’ Union and the university management have failed to address this alarming situation.
Recently, the Office of Student Affairs issued a memo instructing students to vacate the hostels for fumigation. Yet, pressing issues such as rampant insecurity and deteriorating infrastructure remain unaddressed.
The management’s response has been inadequate, leaving students feeling vulnerable and unheard.
It is even disappointeing to see the Students’ Union Government, whose primary role is to advocate for students’ welfare, seemingly indifferent to this troubling crisis.
Just this morning, residents of Hall 9 voiced their frustrations, highlighting that theft has become a persistent issue.
One student lamented, “Good morning sir. The level of stealing in the female hostel is alarming. I don’t understand why the authorities are silent. Just recently, they stole all our phones, including my laptop and ring light. I don’t feel safe anymore.”
Another student passionately expressed, “God, we need help! Please tag blogs and social media handles; we are exhausted and furious. This situation is unbearable. We could be harmed or even kidnapped. The lack of competent security puts us at risk. With all the fees we pay, we cannot even sleep peacefully at night. This has happened too many times, and if we protest, we risk suspension. We have a female Vice-Chancellor, yet our voices remain unheard. It’s painful to hear the screams and cries every night. This has become the norm, and it must end!
We urge the Students’ Union Government and university management to take this troubling situation seriously.
It is essential that they awaken to the reality of these incidents and fulfill their responsibilities to ensure the safety of students in the hostels.
Immediate action is needed to create a secure environment for all.
We deserve to feel secure in our living spaces; our education should not come at the cost of our safety.