UNICROSS denies claim hoodlums raped student on campus

The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has dismissed reports that hoodlums raped a female student of the insitution on campus.

Reports had swirled that the student was sexually assaulted on Monday.

But speaking with NAN, Augustine Angba, the vice-chancellor (VC) of the insitution, asked that public to disregard the claim.

Angba said the case was that of theft, not rape as claimed in some quarters.

“No student was raped, beaten or harmed on campus; it was a case of phone theft and food stuff. We have similar cases of phone theft on campus and we have done our best in recovering them,” he said.

The VC blamed the viral claim on “bloggers” who publish reports without due investigation and balance from the university authorities.

He said the police had begun investigation into the matter to apprehend the suspects and recover the stolen items.

According to him, the route where the suspected hoodlums usually gain entrance into the hostel blocks has been noticed.

Angba also said efforts were on to run a barb wire to prevent further occurrences.

“We have asked the student involved to give us the registration number of the phone. We are going to pay for the tracking of the phone and also ensure it is recovered and handed over the rightful owner,” he added.

“I keep advising my students, if hoodlums come for your phone, quickly hand it over to them because we can track phones. The lives of our students are paramount to us.”

The VC advised students on campus to be vigilant about their security and report any suspicious movement around them to the university authorities.

UNICROSS, formerly known as Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), is situated in Calabar, the state capital.