The Provost of Ebonyi College of Health Science and Technology, Ngbo Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Princess Chetachi Usulor on Wednesday confirmed the attack on female hostel of the collage by hoodlums noting that the hoodlums not bandits as being speculated on social media.

In chat with journalists at the college Usulor said no student was missing after the attack which left nine students injured adding that the attackers invaded the hostel in the early hours of June 8, carting away phones, cash, ATM cards and other valuables from students.

She noted that the hoodlums stormed the hostel and began demanding valuables from students noting that when she was informed about the incident she immediately alerted security agencies, including the police, homeland security personnel and other relevant authorities, who responded to the distress call.

“I called the police control room, the divisional police headquarters and homeland security personnel. As people started arriving at the scene, the hoodlums fled,” she said.

The provost attributed the security breach partly to the large expanse of unfenced land within the institution, noting that although the state government had earlier released funds for fencing, additional resources were needed to complete the project.

She disclosed that the attackers escaped through one of several access points around the campus after hearing approaching voices and noticing the arrival of security personnel and residents.

Usulor said the casualties recorded during the incident were not a result of direct attacks by the hoodlums but occurred when some students jumped from the one-storey hostel building in an attempt to escape.

“Some of the students living upstairs jumped through the windows out of fear or while trying to hide their phones. Those currently receiving treatment sustained injuries from the fall,” she explained.

She added that affected students were taken to hospital for medical examinations, including X-rays and scans, to ascertain the extent of their injuries.

“About nine students are receiving medical attention. We want to be sure there are no complications involving their spinal cords or waists before they are discharged,” she said.

The provost dismissed reports suggesting that students were missing after the attack, insisting that all students had been accounted for.

She, however, said there were suspicions that the attackers may have received information from insiders, following claims by some victims that the hoodlums repeatedly demanded to know the whereabouts of a particular individual.

On security arrangements in the hostel, Usulor explained that the school has only male security personnels but they always stationed outside the hostel premises because they cannot enter inside female hostel adding that the collage is considering hiring female security.

She noted that the security personnel on duty on the night of the incident were already being questioned by the police as part of ongoing investigations.