Gombe University Students Pleased as New Hostel Provides Safety from Hoodlums

Anna Simon, a student at Gombe State University, was attacked and slashed with a cutlass while returning from school in July 2019 at Jerakuna, a residential area around the school. Many students at the university have faced similar violent attacks and other insecurity-related issues due to a shortage of safe and affordable housing.

Miss Simon, one of the 3726 students admitted to the university in 2019, journeyed from Kaduna to Gombe to resume school and her first obstacle as a student was the daunting process of acquiring accommodation in the school.

“I begged the Hajiya in charge of female students’ hostel allocations, but I was told the rooms were all occupied. I was stranded and at some point had to sleep in the chapel, the school church, since I don’t know anyone here in Gombe. Later my aunty joined me with a girl who is also from Kaduna who was staying at Off Campus”, narrated Anna to UDEME.

Left with no choice, Anna settled to stay off campus, a private accommodation outside the school environment. A decision she will later regret.

This problem of student housing is not peculiar to Gombe State University. According to research conducted by the  National university Commission, the availability of student housing falls short of demand by over 70%. This significant shortfall has resulted in overcrowding in hostels, poor living conditions, and a detrimental impact on the physical and mental well-being of students who are forced to seek alternative accommodation in privately rented apartments. 

Living in fear

Tudun Wada, where the university is located, is among areas experiencing a surge of violence and criminal activities, related to the notorious Yan Kalare Gangs.

The Yan Kalare gang, born from the toxic fusion of politics and violence, serves as a mercenary force for politicians during elections. They intimidate opponents, disrupt the electoral process, and instil fear in voters. When not employed for political gain, they resort to criminal activities like phone snatching, theft, and gang fights, often resulting in brutal bloodshed and harm to innocent civilians.

Students staying in residential areas in Malam Inna, Jerakunna, narrated their plight. Due to the unsafe nature of the area they live in constant dread, anxious about their safety and properties.

Anna narrated her violent encounter, where she was attacked on her way to school. 

“Me and my roommates were coming back from school after reading around 8 p.m.  We passed some guys sitting along the way. one walked toward us and suddenly blocked our path. The rest stood up from behind and thrust a knife toward us. They demanded our phones while my friend gave hers, I tried to escape but they dragged me back. Before I knew it, I felt a sharp pain and my hands were bleeding”, she told UDEME.

Veronica Yusuf, another student, shared her harrowing experience of being sexually assaulted while going to school. In interviews, multiple female students recounted similar incidents of assault, which occurred at different times of the day, this highlights a disturbing trend of violence.

“One day, in the morning on my way to school, someone grabbed my chest and ran away. I was so confused, and then shocked, then angry. When I turned, my assailant had fled. I was angry throughout that day,” Veronica said.

The students reported that fear and anxiety affected their mental health, which negatively impacted their academic performance. Many students would dare not walk alone to school making them miss classes and in turn affecting their grades negatively.

“I avoided being out past six. which included lectures that extended past 6 and night readings. Some tutorials were taught in the evening, but I couldn’t attend because I was scared. I missed them all,” Veronica said.

The new hostel

The 2021/2021 Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND) intervention project allocated N4.5 billion to Gombe State University. The fund was meant for hostel construction and other infrastructural projects in the school. Other projects in the school included a clinic, the Faculty of Art and Social Science, a fire service, and an Art Theatre.

The newly constructed two blocks of hostels are Hall 3 and 4.

Hall 4 has a total of 49 rooms.  Each room contains two bunk beds and accommodates four students, making it 98 bed spaces, accommodating 196 students. It also has a laundry area and a kitchen area. Each room is furnished with a reading desk and table with a Personal toilet ensuite.

Hall 3 is larger, with 62 rooms, each having 3 bunks and accommodating 6 people per room. In total it accommodates 372 students. 

Anna, who now resides in the newly constructed hostel, said she witnessed an improved academic result surpassing all previous grades.

Kadija Sani, an occupant of the new hostel, expressed her satisfaction with the new project.

“Sometimes it feels like I’m not in the hostel. The rooms are not overcrowded like other hostels, everywhere is clean and quiet,” commented Khadija with a smile.

Another occupant, Damaris Danjuma also lauded the design of ensuite toilets as a progress that’ll help protect the health of the students.

“My best part about these hostels is the toilets. I’ve treated cases of infections while using open and public toilets. But this is better. we make duty roasters within our roommates and wash the toilet every day”

The contractors, under the leadership of Murtala Salisu, further attributed the new development in architecture to a way to curb polluted toilets and provide a safe and secure environment for students, especially females.

“We don’t want females to stay outside, they face more danger than their male counterparts. That’s why we make more female hostels than males. Because of security reasons,” said Arch Nasir Baffa.

Challenges

The hostel’s open layout has caused some concerns to occupants. Students say activities in the hostels are seen by outsiders due to the fact that it is situated near a commercial area.

Jennifer Sunday related her fears citing that their window faces the commercial areas where a tea shop attracts loads of men. 

“Our windows are always shut no matter the weather because men hang out opposite our window,” Jennifer said.

Getrude also expressed her fear regarding the lack of walls. “When we are in the kitchen or laundry all our activities can be seen from the commercial area. Which is wrong because we ladies deserve some privacy,” Gertrude said.