Calm is gradually returning to the University of Benin. From what I have been told, most members of the warring secret cults have gone into hiding after attacks in the past few days.
The popular Guest House of the University of Benin, which usually plays host to students who wish to relax, was empty on Saturday and Sunday. A waiter, who requested anonymity, complained that they have witnessed a serious drop in revenue because the students are scared.
This has been the biggest cult war that the institution has witnessed recently, and while the officially confirmed death toll is six, rumours have it that the true toll is more like twenty-two.
On June 14, a 200 level Mathematics student, Uche Emmanuel Alajemba, popularly known as Snazzy, was shot in the head. The incident happened at the University’s Sports Complex during a biometrics registration exercise. According to eyewitnesses, the shooter calmly dropped the gun afterwards and walked into the crowd before he could be identified.
"I made attempts to speak with members of both rival gangs and was able to attract the attention of a member (he claimed to be an official) of the Black Axe confraternity who opted to speak on condition of anonymity.
The Official said that the rival groups are currently in negotiations to address the issue and that all other things being equal, they should resolve the issues in the coming days. According to The Official, himself and his executive members are not in support of a war between the two factions and that they would do everything possible to resolve the crisis soon.
He also stated that the members of the Black Axe confraternity who initiated the crisis would be sanctioned, and if found culpable of inciting the crisis, they would be dealt with.
Silence in the ivory tower
The University of Benin has taken on a sombre mood and Ehis, an Electrical Engineering student, hopes that lasting solutions would be found to the recurrent crisis of cult clashes within the university, so students who are not affiliated to any of these cult groups can continue their studies unhindered."
Latest events
Despite The Official’s claims, the battle is not showing signs of abating. Governor Oshiomhole’s recent ban on the use of commercial motorcycles in large swathes of Edo state has been interpreted in some quarters as an attempt to reduce the violence. As of the time of writing, locals say that 10 arrests have been made by the police, the latest being a policeman who’s name the police have so far refused to release. A short conversation with DSP Moses Eguavoen, the state’s police spokesman confirmed that indeed some people have been arrested, but no names were given.
In their official reaction though, the police in Edo state say that measures have been put in place to stop the violence. Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo, said that the Police is collaborating with the Management of the University of Benin to curb the menace in and around the campus.
“We are not relaxing at all. We are in search of the leaders behind these killings. Already, we have arrested some persons in connection with the crisis while others are on the run. The killings will stop because policemen are all on the alert now,” Adebanjo said. “All security agencies in the state are concerned. The governor is equally concerned and residents of the state are concerned. So, we will not relent in stopping this madness. It is very sad that people no longer value human lives; it is sad.”
The school authority is yet to issue an official statement about the incident(s), and attempts to speak with the Public Relations Officer of the University of Benin, Harrison Osarenren, have so far proved abortive.
No comments:
Post a Comment