Three UNIPORT students arrested over cult-related violence
File Photo: UNIPORT Gate
The Rivera State Police Command said its men have arrested three students of the University of Port Harcourt allegedly linked to a clash between two factions of the same cult group in the institution.
It was gathered that a free-for-all broke out between splinter groups of the Vikings cult as gunshots and machete displays shattered the serenity of the institution on Thursday.
PUNCH Online learnt that the clash was due to a disagreement over who would sail the ship of the dreaded confraternity, implying a supremacy battle within their ranks
In the ensuing violence, one of the students reportedly sustained injuries from machete cuts and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The President of the Students Union Government, UNIPORT, Martins Azirindu, who confirmed the incident, called on the Institution security to up their game.
Azirindu stated, “A particular cult group known as the Vikings Confraternity has two factions. And a particular faction came against the other faction.
“But while they were still facing each other the school security, policemen and the Vice Chancellor came around. So most of them fled and about three were apprehended.”
Azirindu said the management of the institution and the SUG usually hold programmes to sensitise students on the dangers of joining secret cults.
While calling for increased security patrols within the institution, he said some areas within the university are still bushy, saying such places should be cleared in order not to serve as hideouts for criminal activities.
He noted, ” I guess that those guys may have passed behind the fence to bring in guns that were used. I will advise the school security to go on routine checks and patrol to put some of these things in check. ”
Meanwhile, the the management of the institution in a statement on Friday said contrary to some media reports no casualty was recorded in the clash.
The statement issued by the spokesman of the University, Dr Sam Kpenu, on Friday also corroborated the SUG stand that the intervention of security agencies and the school management prevented an escalation.
The statement reads,” Contrary to some inaccurate media claims, no student was killed nor 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.
The 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.
“The University of Port Harcourt remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and safeguarding our students.
“We reiterate our zero-tolerance policy towards cultism, bullying, and any form of disruptive social behaviour on our campus.$
It read further, “We appreciate the continued support of our community and media partners as we strive to uphold a safe and conducive learning environment for all our students.
“The university is calm and staff and students are going about their normal duties and classes respectively.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the arrest, saying “Those arrested are being profiled and investigation is ongoing.”
