Suspected rival cult groups clashed at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Rumuolumeni, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, with the groups reportedly exchanging gunfire on Monday.
The clash, involving members of the ‘Vikings’ and ‘Clansmen’ confraternities, reportedly caused panic among students on the campus.
The incident occurred during the ongoing Students’ Union Government week at the university.
Academic activities were temporarily disrupted as many students were forced to flee the campus following the clash.
Reacting to the incident, a Port Harcourt-based human rights activist, Charles Jaja, said the clash was an indication that the institution’s management 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.”
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, Blessing Agabe, confirmed that the incident involved a clash between rival gangs on the campus.
“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.” she added.