Pandemonium in UNIUYO as Cult War Claims Four Students

Pandemonium on Wednesday rocked the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) in Akwa Ibom State as cult groups clash claimed the lives of four students of the institution.

While one person was killed at the University town campus on Ikpa road last Tuesday, others were reportedly shot dead at the permanent site of the university off Nwaniba road in Uyo.

The dead body of a 300 level student of the department of Communication Arts simple identified as Fatherwills Ukpankere killed last Tuesday was discovered behind the Barth Ebong Auditorium of the town campus.

The cult activities and killings have heightened tension in the institution as visitors, students and workers are now griped in fear over insecurity.

The cult groups involved in the killings are yet to be identified as sources alleged that they are not likely to be students of the school, hinting that there were shootings on the campus before the students’ matriculation in the institution held last week.

“Before the last matriculation, there were shootings. Just last Tuesday, a student was shot dead in a clash between two cult groups at the annex campus.

“I heard that three other students were shot dead at the early hours of yesterday (Wednesday) at the main campus in Nwaniba, even though I have not confirmed that yet. We are afraid that the cult groups that lost their members may come back for reprisal,” a source stated.

A concern student of the university, who said he should not be quoted, called on both the federal and state governments to come up with strategy to stop cult activities in tertiary initiations.

Reacting to the development, the Director of Information, Students Union Government (SUG), Mfon John, said: “This is beyond the security on campus.”

He refused to confirm whether the person killed in last Tuesday clash was a student of the University of Uyo and the cult groups involved.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko MacDon, in his reaction, said: “The state Commissioner of Police is trying to meet with the management of the university in order to strategise on how to tackle the menace and ensure adequate security for the university.”