Calabar South is one kilometre away from the University of Calabar (UNICAL). Its closeness to the school makes it a haven for students, who stay off-campus. But, the area is becoming unsafe for residents, because of hoodlums, who lurk in the dark to rob them. STANLEY UCHEGBU (Accounting) reports.
Given its proximity to the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Calabar South, a sprawling neighbourhood in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State, is a home for students, who prefer off-campus hostels. The community has more students’ population than other areas close to the campus, such as Ettah Agbor, Marian, Satellite town and Atimbo, among others.
Given its population density, Calabar South is full of activities. But, some recent incidents have turned the neighbourhood into a crime den. Residents now live at the mercy of hoodlums and petty robbers, who lurk in the dark to dispossess them of their valuables.
Residents of Uwanse, Goldie Market and Mount Zion within the community cannot sleep soundly for fear of the hoodlums. Knowing the time to move is what the residents have had to learn. At dusk, sound of gunshots scares away people and within minutes, the place is deserted.
Sunday Ndifreke, a Medicine and Surgery student, who lives in the area, narrated his ordeal in the hands of petty robbers.
He said: “I was returning from school after night reading. I had my laptop with me, because all the materials I needed were saved on it. As I approached my hostel, three hoodlums appeared from nowhere and ordered me to stop. They overpowered me and took away my laptop. It was a terrible experience for me, because I had examination in the morning I was robbed. I could not write anything, because I was traumatised. My academics suffered, because I lost my books and laptop computer.”
Solomon Usang, who lives on Edibe Edibe Street, also shared his experience with CAMPUSLIFE. “It was hell,” says Solomon, a 300-Level Microbiology student.
He said: “One day, I was returning from an evening lecture. I was a few metres away from my hostel when two muscular guys stopped me, demanding to know what I had in my bag. I told them that it was my books and that I was coming back from school. They asked me to give them something. I told them that I didn’t have anything with me. They forcefully took my bag, which contained my Ipad and other valuables. When I raised the alarm, they disappeared into thin air.”
Earlier, Solomon said other hoodlums invaded his hostel, carting away students’ television sets, foodstuff, laptops, wrist watches, clothes and shoes. “We reported the incident at the Calabar South Police Station, but the suspects are yet to be arrested,” he added.
Other students also spoke, calling on the police to step up security surveillance in the area. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that a police patrol team used to move round some dark spots in the area. But, the police, it was learnt, only patrol areas with good roads.
A final year student of English and Literary Studies, Jerome Acho, said he was robbed in broad daylight on Mount Zion axis.
He said: “I was walking through Mount Zion axis by Orok Orok Lane when I saw two guys riding a motorcycle. They slowed down when they approached me and snatched my bag containig N10,000, ATM card and textbooks. I broke my door before I could gain access to my room, because my key was equally in the bag.”
Another student, Elvis Nwabuikwu, said he was returning from class when three men with a locally-made pistol ordered him to kneel down. “In full glare of people, I was robbed,” he said.
Some students blamed landlords for not taking adequate measures to protect their tenants. They reasoned that the landlords, through their community association, could partner with the police to strengthen security.
A female student, who declined to give her name, said: “We are living in a community where one is not sure of his safety anymore. I don’t want to end up being a victim of rape and armed robbery. I am planning to relocate.”
Chinelo Nwaosisi, a 100-Level English Education student, escaped being raped by the hoodlums after she was robbed. She and Uchenna Ikeme, a final year Marketing student, were returning from Film House Cinemas at Marina Resort in Calabar, when they were robbed last Thursday with machetes.
Uchenna, who was injured by the hoodlums, said: “We were returning from work in the evening. When we got to Government Secondary School in Uwanse, two men came out of a dark corner and asked us to put down everything we had with us. They were armed with machetes. Initially, they wanted to attack Chinelo, who was walking ahead of me.
“When she saw the men, she ran back to me. They attacked both of us and took my laptop and mobile phone. When they wanted to rape Chinelo, I resisted the move but one of them hit me with a machete on my left hand. I sustained a deep cut. I screamed for help but nobody came to my rescue. The hoodlums thought that people would come out; they ran away.”
Uchenna said he saved Chinelo from the hoodlums. He urged the government to provide adequate security in the area.
Because of the incessant robbery, traders and business owners close early. Those, who dare to stay beyond 8pm, expose themselves to attack.
A part-time student, Esther Okon, who operates a retail shop, said: “Hoodlums, who disguised as customers, came to my shop in the evening and robbed me. They asked me to surrender everything I had as they pointed a locally-made pistol and asked me not to say a word. They left with my money and generator.”
A trader, Etim Ekpenyong, gave tips on how the hoodlums operate. He said: “They usually walk in groups. They will ask their victims to find something for them. Refusal will make them to bring out guns to force their victims to comply.”
At Calabar South Police Station, an officer, who asked not to be named, said: “We receive several complaints from students daily on crimes, such as burglary, robbery and rape. We are trying our best to contain them.”
The police source said a new security outfit established by Governor Ben Ayade, codenamed Operation Skolombo, had started to patrol the area but residents said they were yet to sight the operatives at the spots where the hoodlums operate.
Students urged the government to check the hoodlums’ activities to ensure safety of life and property.
