Wunti Dada: Where Students Can No Longer Sleep In Peace -By Idris Rufai

Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi State
Insecurity is gradually becoming an everyday reality in our society, and for many students living off campus, the fear of becoming the next victim is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

Wunti Dada, a well known community in Bauchi State, located opposite Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, has become a source of concern for some students residing in the area. What should ordinarily be a peaceful community where students can live, study and rest has, for some residents, become a place where the fear of night time attacks and theft is never far away.
Students living in different lodges within the community have reportedly experienced incidents in which hoodlums allegedly break doors and gates during the night to gain access to their rooms. Valuable belongings such as smartphones, laptops, power banks, school bags and money are among the items that may be taken. In some cases, victims have also reportedly sustained injuries during such incidents.

What makes the situation particularly disturbing is that Wunti Dada is not a community without security presence. There are police stations and security personnel around the area. Yet, the persistence of night time attacks raises serious questions about the effectiveness of security surveillance and response mechanisms in protecting residents.
The concern is not necessarily about students moving around at night or engaging in illegal activities. In some cases, students are simply inside their rooms, sleeping after a long day of lectures and academic activities, when intruders allegedly force their way into their lodges. Some victims may even shout for help, but assistance does not always arrive at the time it is most needed.

This situation has become a serious burden for students living in the area. When stealing from people’s homes begins to appear like a regular activity for certain criminals, it creates an atmosphere of fear and insecurity that affects not only students but the wider community.
There is also a need to pay attention to the growing number of unemployed youths who gather at various spots within communities without any visible productive activity. While unemployment itself does not make someone a criminal, unchecked gatherings where substance abuse such as smoking and excessive highness and other suspicious activities allegedly take place can create an environment that deserves the attention of relevant authorities.

This is why I believe that security agencies and the Bauchi State Government need to take proactive measures rather than waiting until criminal incidents occur before responding.
One practical step would be to strengthen regular security patrols, particularly during the day and at night, around streets and areas heavily populated by students. Security agencies should also identify locations that may serve as hideouts or meeting points for criminal elements and increase surveillance around such places.

Community policing should equally be strengthened. Security agencies can work closely with landlords, community leaders, student representatives and residents to establish effective channels for reporting suspicious activities. This would allow security concerns to be identified and addressed before they escalate.

The authorities should also investigate why individuals who are reportedly arrested for criminal activities sometimes return to the same environment after a short period. Where suspects are apprehended, the law should be allowed to take its proper course. The confidence of residents in the security and justice system depends greatly on knowing that criminal acts will have consequences.

As a student living in or frequently moving through such an environment, the fear can become very personal. There are times when even bringing out a phone on the street can become a source of anxiety because of the way some individuals may stare at people carrying valuable items. Such an atmosphere should not be normal for students who are simply trying to pursue their education.

Most at times the situation occur during rainy nights, when visibility is reduced and people are less likely to move around or respond quickly to calls for help. These conditions provide opportunities for criminals to operate.
It is important to emphasise that this article is not an accusation against the entire Wunti Dada community. The vast majority of residents are peaceful and law abiding people. Rather, the concern is about the activities of a minority whose alleged actions are capable of tarnishing the reputation of an otherwise vibrant community.

Education is one of the major instruments of development in any society. Students who leave their homes to study should be able to concentrate on their education without constantly worrying about whether their rooms will be broken into or whether their personal belongings will be stolen.

We often say that students are the leaders of tomorrow. If that is the case, then society must create an environment where they can learn, live and develop safely.

The Bauchi State Government, security agencies, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders must therefore take the security concerns of students in Wunti Dada seriously. More visible patrols, improved intelligence gathering, stronger community policing and timely responses to distress calls could go a long way towards restoring confidence among residents.

Most importantly, the authorities should not wait for a major tragedy before taking decisive action. Lives are more valuable than material possessions, and students should not have to risk their lives trying to protect their phones, laptops, money or other belongings.
Wunti Dada should be a community where students can sleep peacefully, walk freely and focus on their education. School should be a pathway to development, not a trap for students who choose to live off campus.

The time to act is now. Addressing insecurity in Wunti Dada will not only protect students but also help preserve the good name of the community and contribute to a safer Bauchi State.