The President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Rivers State, Comrade Alex Onu, has dismissed reports of a cult-related gun battle on the university campus, describing the claims as misleading and exaggerated.
Speaking in Port Harcourt to newsmen, Onu said the only gunshot heard within the university premises was a warning shot fired into the air by police officers to disperse some unidentified persons who entered the campus during the ongoing SUG Week celebration.
According to him, the individuals, believed to have been attracted by the SUG Week activities, did not confront the police and left immediately after the warning shot was fired.
“There was no exchange of gunfire. They didn’t resist the police at all. As soon as the police shot into the air, they left immediately,” Onu said.
He maintained that the unidentified persons were not armed and that reports suggesting a prolonged gun battle between suspected cultists and security personnel were false.
The SUG President noted that students participated peacefully in various SUG Week activities throughout the day, with programmes continuing until about 7 p.m., questioning reports that cult violence had disrupted activities on campus.
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Onu urged journalists and other information handlers to verify security-related information before publication, warning that inaccurate reports could cause unnecessary panic among students, parents, staff and the general public.
He also commended the university management for its commitment to strengthening campus security and improving the learning environment, describing the measures as necessary for the safety of students.
Onu assured members of the university community that the SUG would continue to work closely with the management and security agencies to maintain peace and ensure students participate in academic and extracurricular activities without fear.
The SUG President further reassured students of his administration’s commitment to protecting their interests and ensuring a peaceful campus environment.
A lecturer, who requested anonymity, also dismissed reports of a cult clash, saying the incident occurred near his office.
“The venue was just behind my office. There was no shooting between any cult groups; rather, the fierce-looking police officers fired into the air when the atmosphere became highly tense,” he said.
