VIDEO: Unizik students brutalise armed robber caught in hostel gate

Unizik students and local residents on Friday night descended on a suspected armed robber, beating him to within an inch of his life after he was allegedly caught with a gun at a student lodge in Awka, Anambra State.

The mob incident occurred at about 11:00 p.m. on June 6, 2025, near Teezers Junction by the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik) school gate, Ifite, sending shockwaves through the student community.

Eyewitnesses claimed the suspect was attempting to infiltrate a lodge inhabited by students when he was spotted and apprehended.

The man, reportedly armed with a locally-made gun, was subdued before he could use the weapon.

Students, enraged by recent reports of armed robberies in the area, did not wait for security agencies.

They quickly mobilized and administered brutal mob justice on the suspect.

In one of the graphic videos circulating on social media, a large crowd of students is seen surrounding the man while punches, kicks, and slaps rain down.

One person is seen holding a cutlass, while others record the beating with their mobile phones.

Blood is visibly pouring from the suspect’s head and body in another clip. He is shown lying helplessly on the ground, groaning in pain.

Some students filming the scene can be heard pleading for restraint.

“It’s enough, please,” a female voice cried out, urging her lodge mates to lock their gate and avoid further escalation.

Despite the pleas, the crowd continued the attack for several minutes.

Following the savage beating, the suspect was eventually handed over to local security operatives who arrived at the scene.

His current condition remains unknown, but sources say he was barely alive when the authorities took him.

Police are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

This is not the first time a robbery suspect has faced jungle justice around the Ifite student axis.

The area has become notorious for frequent break-ins, phone snatching, and nighttime robberies, leaving students frustrated over rising insecurity.

Reacting to the event, some students described the beating as “justified,” blaming law enforcement for failing to protect them.

“This is what happens when criminals walk free,” one student said. “We are tired of being victims.”

However, human rights groups have condemned the mob action, warning that jungle justice is a dangerous trend that violates the rule of law and could lead to the death of innocent suspects.

“This is a worrying development,” said a legal expert in Awka. “No matter the crime, suspects must be handed over to the police alive for proper investigation and prosecution.”

As of the time of filing this report, it is unclear if charges will be filed or if an investigation into the assault will be opened.

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