Panic broke out at Nnamdi Azikiwe University on Sunday night after unidentified hoodlums attacked students of the institution, leaving an unconfirmed number injured.

The incident occurred in Awka, Anambra State, when the assailants, suspected to be herdsmen, reportedly ambushed students—most of them first-year undergraduates—who were heading for a night study session within the campus.

One of the victims, a male student, sustained severe injuries during the attack and was rushed to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, for emergency treatment. Reports said he lost some fingers while trying to fend off the attackers.

In a message circulated on WhatsApp, the victim’s mother wrote: “My son’s three fingers cut off, twin sister wounded,” confirming that the student’s twin sister also sustained injuries during the attack.

A source within the university said the incident happened around 9:00 p.m. along Ifite Road, describing the route as a lonely and unsafe stretch, especially at night.

“That axis is dangerous and poorly populated. Being new students, they were unaware of the risks of using such a path at night,” the source said. “The boy was walking with his sister when they encountered the attackers. They both ran, but unfortunately, he could not escape.”

According to the source, the alarm raised by the sister attracted passers-by, who rescued the injured student and rushed him to the hospital before the university’s security team was alerted.

University officials were said to have visited the victims at the hospital on Monday morning to assess the situation and offer support.

Confirming the incident, the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations/Protocol of the university, Louis Njelita, said the institution’s security unit had been notified and steps were already being taken.

“Yes, there was an attack. The Chief Security Officer has been informed and necessary actions are underway,” he said.

The incident has heightened concerns over student safety within and around the university community, particularly during late hours.