RSU Hostel Robbery: VC Sets Up A 9-Man Inquiry Committee

vice chancellor of the University, Prof. Nlerum Sunday Okogbule says no rape incidence took place during the armed robbery that took place on the main campus of the Rivers State University, RSU Nkpolu, Orowurkwu, Port-Harcourt in the early morning of Thursday, August 24, 2023. The vice chancellor made the explanation during a press conference on Friday, August 25, 2023 at the Port Harcourt main campus of the institution.
He stated in responding to allegations that some female students were raped by hoodlums who invaded the female hostel:; he said. “Let me make it abundantly clear that no student of this university was raped but the truth of the matter was that when the hoodlums entered Hotel-D they collected about 20 phones and three lap tops”.
Prof. Okogbule explained that as soon as the management of the school received news of the theft, there was management meeting which led to issuing a statement to guarantee the safety of students and staff.
Explaining further, the VC pointed out that before the meeting, a high delegation of the school management also went to the scene of the incident for an on -the- spot assessment.
He described the incident as surprising to residents of the community.
“As a university, we took adequate steps to demolish illegal structure. We did this in order to bring sanity in the university. Since we assumed duty about three years ago, there has been relative peace in this campus. However, this is an isolated incident which is something that surprised everybody.”
The former dean of the post graduate school reiterated the need to protect students and staff as well as guests to the school.
“It is important to draw your attention to the fact that the management of this university is committed to protecting the students and staff. It is important to note that this university is safe and secure for the wellbeing and welfare of our students.
“Again, we want to assure you that our children and brothers and sisters are well protected. We are taking all the necessary actions to ensure that this kind of incident does not occur again.”
He expressed regret that some of the students were not properly guided and lack restraint and self-control because of freedom of being university students.
The VC hinted that the management of the university has decided to constitute a nine-man committee of inquiry to ascertain the immediate and remote cause of the incident.
“We have decided to constitute a nine-man committee of inquiry to find out what happened and also, to ascertain the immediate and remote cause of the incidence. The management of this school will implement the findings of the committee,” Prof. Okogbule emphasized.
He reassured that the management of the institution would replace the about 20 handsets (mobile cell phones and about three lap tops stolen), adding that they will reach out to the affected victims.
“We will take some urgent action to reach out to the victims of the incident. After all, it is because of the students that we are here as lecturers,” the VC stated.
He promised that in the next few weeks, the management of the university would go around the three campuses of the university at Etche, Emohua and Ahoada, to sensitize the students, staff and the university security personnel, to be security conscious.
“By next week or in a few weeks from now, we will go round the three-campuses of our university to sensitize our students and security personnel on the need to be security conscious.”
National Point can authoritatively report that in the morning of the said incident, the visitor to the university, Sir Siminalayi Fubara visited the university to see things for himself, lamenting that the hoodlums are within.
Students spoken to claim a total of 53 cell phones were carted away by the hoodlums whose operation has blighted the school’s security system.