No student died from cult clash – Uniport clarifies

The University of Port Harcourt has dismissed claims that students were injured or killed during a cult clash in the Abuja campus of the institution on Wednesday.

DAILY POST gathered that a cult clash at the university left one student severely injured and three others apprehended.

The altercation occurred between two factions of the Vikings Confraternity and was reportedly sparked by a dispute over leadership positions within the group.

SUG President Azirindu Martins confirmed the incident.

During the clash, some cult members attacked and macheted a student who is believed to be affiliated with the confraternity.

Martins clarified that the injured student is currently hospitalized and dismissed rumours of the student’s death.

He urged the university’s security team to conduct regular checks in the bushy areas of the campus, noting that the machetes and guns used in the attack were not brought from within the school premises.

Martins said, “That’s not true, no student died. The incident yesterday was a cult clash. It is allegedly said that a particular cult group known as the Vikings confraternity has two factions.

“And a particular faction came against the other faction but immediately, the school security got that information, it arrived with the Vice Chancellor and policemen.

“And most of them fled and few of them, three of them were apprehended.

“We saw a machete and we heard two gunshots.”

He emphasized the need for expanded patrols in these areas, stating that simply searching vehicles would not be sufficient.

But reacting to the incident in a press statement, the Head of Information and Public Relations, Sam Kpenu, stated that contrary to reports, the university’s management, security unit, and the anti-cultism unit of the Nigeria Police quickly intervened, preventing any disruption.

The statement also revealed that the Vice Chancellor, Owunari Georgewill, was present at the scene to oversee the situation and took the necessary steps to restore order.

Kpenu reiterated the university’s zero-tolerance policy towards cultism, bullying, and any form of disruptive behaviour, noting that the campus remains peaceful and students are attending their regular classes and duties.

“The University of Port Harcourt (UniPort) wishes to address recent reports regarding an incident that occurred on our campus on Wednesday.

“Contrary to some inaccurate media claims, no student was killed or injured in the incident of a fight between some students as the prompt intervention of the Management, security unit, and the anti-cultism unit of the Nigeria Police led to the swift apprehension of these individuals, ensuring that no disruption occurred.

“The students are currently facing interrogations at the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Port Harcourt.

“Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Owunari Georgewill, was on the scene immediately, overseeing the resolution of the matter and taking necessary actions to restore normalcy.

“For the avoidance of doubt, nobody died in that incident, which has been blown out of proportion by some online blogs.”

No student died from cult clash – Uniport clarifies