Reports reached the UIMSA Press sometime around 5:30 AM, that there was a robbery incident at the Obafemi Awolowo Hall between the hours of 4 AM and 5 AM this morning, with about six phones stolen.
According to reports from residents of the hall, the theft was perpetrated by two male robbers. It was also mentioned that two rooms on the ground floor were raided in C Block (C Block at the Obafemi Awolowo Hall is reserved for ‘stalites’). The rooms that were raided had four occupants each. “Before they [the robbers] accessed these rooms, they started with the security lights. Then they went ahead to remove the bulbs from the bathrooms and corridor. They did the same on the first floor but there were no victims on the first floor”, one resident told the Press. Another said, “The thieves were two males. They entered through the gate facing Awo Mount Zion. I don’t know how they left. It was an Awoite that screamed when she saw them and that’s how people woke up and came out. I also heard that they stole six phones”.
The initial respondent also mentioned that the thieves were unarmed. “They threatened to hit the girls if they did not cooperate. There were no injuries to the victims. There were just threats to hit them if they refused to cooperate”. The victims include three members of the 300 level MBBS class among others.
In response to calls for help, students from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall were seen running to Awo around 5:20am. The boys weren’t allowed in until about an hour after the incident had happened and they left Awo shortly after.
Via a call with a Press respondent, one of the victims confirmed that one out of the six phones had been tracked to Apete at about 6:46 AM.. A phone call placed through to said phone was reportedly picked, as well. Efforts made to speak with others stolen from proved abortive, as they cited discomfort with the situation.
“This makes me feel scared and sad. Makes me feel like I’m not secure in my abode. The security should be improved. There should be training to equip females with basic fight skills. Prompt response from security personnel should also be ensured. Then, there should be active follow up on this case. It shouldn’t die down like this.”, one resident told the Press.
As at 8:30 AM, the University’s security outfit, Abefele, and Awo Hall security guards were reported to be on the case, with Anti-Crime Patrol Cars situated in front of the Hall at 9:07 AM. There has also been a visit from the Dean of Students’ Affairs, with the victims having visited the Police Station.
