Suspected members of rival cult groups engaged in a violent confrontation at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday.
Witnesses reported that the groups exchanged gunfire within the university premises, sparking panic among students and staff. Details of casualties or arrests were yet to be confirmed at the time of filing this report.
It was learnt that the clash between two cult groups, the ‘Vikings’ and ‘Clansmen’ confraternities, caused pandemonium among students on campus.
The clash reportedly occurred during the ongoing Students’ Union Government week at the university.
Academic activities were temporarily suspended as most students were compelled to flee the campus.
Commenting on the incident, a Port Harcourt-based rights activist, Charles Jaja, said the clash showed that the management of the institution had lost control of the campus.
Jaja called on the university authorities to address the rampant incidents of cult-induced violence in the school.
He said, “Yesterday’s gunshot at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education is a sad reminder of what a university ought not to be, and I think that the school management has lost control of its campus.
“There must be a deliberate attempt by them (management) to do things differently. And I think that they should study what was done at the Rivers State University (sister institution) under the watch of Prof. Barineme Fakae as Vice Chancellor then.
“The model he used was simple. It was just enforcement of rules and intelligence-driven security and swift sanctions, which was what was needed to push cultism to the barest minimum and gave birth to the peace on the campus.”
“This is what I advocate because at a time a university which is supposed to be a place for character building, research and learning has now become a theatre for cultism and violence. This is unacceptable.”
Also speaking, Prince Wiro, another rights activist and National Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, expressed concern about repeated cult clashes at the school.
Wiro described the latest clash as embarrassing for the institution and the state government.
He said, “There have been reported cases of cult clashes in and around the university in the last one year before the latest incident on Monday.
“Such repeated incidents suggest the security arrangements in the institution may not be adequate. It will also erode parents’ confidence in the University’s security architecture, and many parents may not want their children to be enrolled in the University.
“I use this medium to call on the Rivers State Governor, who is the visitor to the institution, to invite the leadership of the University with a view to discussing ways of enhancing security in and out of the institution,” he stated.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Blessing Agabe, confirmed that it was a clash between rival gangs on campus.
Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, dismissed claims that the gunshots heard during the clash were fired by police operatives.
She said, “It was a clash between two cult groups. The Police responded promptly, arrived at the scene in good time, brought the situation under control, and the investigation is ongoing.
“No shots were fired by the Police, as the officers only took proactive measures necessary to contain and arrest the situation. No lives were lost. However, members of the groups fled the scene, while an investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend those involved.”
