Exclusive: Residents Count Loss as Heavy Rain Destroy Structures at “80k” Hostel

By Habibullah Temako

On the night of Thursday, 19th of June, 2025, a heavy rain with fierce winds wrecked havoc to the ’80K’ hostels at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS).

The rain, which began with a strong windstorm and lasted for about three hours, caused damage to some structures at the 80k hostels. Although no injuries were reported, several properties were affected. A fence, soakaway, and other structures collapsed, leaving the students in a state of fear.

With the residents counting their loss by the rain, THE NEWS DIGEST PRESS, during a visit to the affected area, observed that the students were in a state of disbelief over the incident.

According to one of the residents, Ibrahim Ruqoyyat, a 300-level agricultural student, stated that none of them was hurt from the incident. She, however, added that the fence is not in good condition, and others are likely to collapse if that kind of rain happens again.

She said, “We could not sleep last night until the rain stopped. It was quite unfortunate that the roofs of our hostels had short sleeves of zinc to cover rain from splashing directly into our room.

“As a result, we wake up every time it rains to dry our mattresses, clothes, and foodstuffs. How is that fair for an expensive private hostel like 80K?

Similarly, another student, who pleaded anonymity, said that they’re not safe and hereby urged the caretaker to do something about the hostel condition.

According to her, the fence that completely collapsed last night was very weak, like the rest—crumbling by itself all day long. She said the construction was very poor because the bricks were not properly mixed with enough cement. As a result, it lacks the power to withstand heavy rainfall.

“Thank God the incident happened in the night; it would’ve been a different thing if it occurred in the daytime because the fence is close to the road that students pass through.

“We are also living in fear of the second fence, which is also weak like the one that fell last night. And if truth be told, the entire fence, including the building, seriously needs reconstruction.

“We just pray and hope the caretaker and the landlord quickly attend to our outcry, lest anything unfortunate happens,” she appealed, sadly.

Sinking Soakaway

Comfort, another student resident of 80K, disclosed their hostel has been begging for attention before now. She particularly liked her hotel’s soakaway that half collapsed due to the heavy rain last night.

“The soakaway has not been in good condition before, which was why it collapsed down last night due to the downpours,” she said. “Although the caretaker came to check it himself with the hope to repair it today, the negligence would have caused something else.”

I can’t do anything for now —Caretaker

In an interview with Mallam Sanusi, the caretaker of the 80K private hostel, he revealed to this reporter that he has not yet gotten in touch with the landlord, his boss, and as such, he cannot address the incident with regard to the reconstruction of the collapsed fence.

He also stated that the incident was unexpected, but he would have to inform the landlord for any action that could be done.

“Alhamdulillah. No students were injured from what happened, but I felt remorseful about the incident with the fear of their safety. However, I really have nothing to say as to when this fence will be reconstructed because it all happened last night, and I was unable to reach out to the landlord.”

About 80K

80K Private Hostel is one of the top-most preferred private hostels at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) main campus. The hostel, located alongside Binji, close to the Faculty of Agriculture, is known for its seeming luxury that student residents enjoy.

Despite its own deficiencies, just like other hostels, it is regarded as the premium home of student safety, especially when considering the nature and conditions of other neighboring private hostels.

Not until recently, 80K private hostels have now turned into uncomfortable homes and dens of neglected places to stay.

With student-tenants paying 100K now, the students are facing a lot of intolerable negligence, including deplorable conditions of the hostel premises, such as the wide-stretch collapsed soakaway, poor maintenance and lack of sanitation, prolonged electricity blackout and many more, to say the least.

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