Cults clash with gunfire at Nigerian university, students flee

Gunfire shattered the peace at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Rivers State, Nigeria, on Monday as two cult groups engaged in a violent supremacy clash. The confrontation, reportedly between the 'Vikings' and 'Clansmen' confraternities, erupted during the university's ongoing Students' Union Government week.

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It was a clash between two cult groups. The Police responded promptly and arrived at the scene in good time, successfully bringing the situation under control.

Videos circulating on social media depicted students scrambling for safety as gunshots echoed across the campus. While no lives were lost, the incident brought academic activities to an abrupt halt, forcing students to seek refuge in classrooms and hostels to avoid stray bullets.

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No shots were fired by the Police, as the officers only took proactive measures necessary to contain and arrest the situation.

Blessing Agabe, spokesperson for the State Police Command, confirmed the cult clash. She clarified that the gunshots were not fired by police officers, who arrived promptly after receiving a distress call and successfully brought the situation under control. "No shots were fired by the Police, as the officers only took proactive measures necessary to contain and arrest the situation," Agabe stated, adding that members of the cult groups fled the scene and an investigation is ongoing.

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There have been reported cases of cult clashes in and around the university in the last one year before the latest incident on Monday.

Prince Wiro, a human rights activist, expressed concern over the recurring cult clashes at the university. He described the latest incident as embarrassing and called for decisive action to end the cult wars. Wiro noted that repeated clashes over the past year suggest inadequate security arrangements, potentially eroding parental confidence in the university's safety measures. He urged the Rivers State Governor, as the institution's visitor, to convene a meeting with university leadership to enhance security.

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Such repeated incidents suggest the security arrangements in the institution may not be adequate.