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Not less that five students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State of Nigeria have been shot dead by rival cult groups since Nigerian Universities reopened in January 2014 after a 6-months strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), according to reports reaching News Bytes.
Investigations revealed that the “Aye” and “Eye confraternity”, rival cult groups in UNIBEN has had a running battle before the commencement of the ASUU strike in July of 2013. There are indications that this raging cult war mainly targets graduating students.
Sources say that an ex-student identified as Osas was shot dead last Sunday 23rd of February at the University’s Main gate. Osas, who although finished years ago but has not graduated because of issues surrounding his results was attacked after playing basketball at the School’s Sports complex.
Another student called “Galaxy”, was also shot last Tuesday 25th of February at the Ekhosodin Gate. He reportedly operated a barber shop at Hostel 3, one of the school’s hostel.
Sources confirmed to News Bytes that Osas and Galaxy, like most students shot in recent weeks, did not survive the gunshots.
Students say more bewildering is the uneasy calm displayed so far by the UNIBEN’s management despite this sad turn of events. Some who spoke with News Bytes expressed their worries.
“Some people’s children are just being wasted by these cultist” said a student.
About three weeks ago, another student was reportedly shot at the Faculty of arts, and whereas he survived the attack and the shooter apprehended, not much has been heard of his attacker or the case till now. Although the school after this incident made it mandatory that only students with identity cards shown to security men at the campus gates should be allowed into the school premises, many students say the check is not thorough as most students just flashed the identity card and are permitted entrance without verifying if the card really belongs to the bearer. They noted that this has made it possible for anyone to gain access to the campus with another person’s card.
According to a member of staff who spoke on a condition of anonymity, “the University made it mandatory after the attack three weeks ago yet the cult attack is still on and getting worse by the day. It has gotten to students been shot in broad daylight.”
None of those who spoke with News Bytes could tell the motive behind the killings but there are indications that those attacked might have been members, or close associates of member(s) of either of the rival gangs – Aye and Eye.
UNIBEN is on break now as students have finished their second semester exams, but many graduating students are still seen milling around the campus to sort out their clearance. Many students however disagree as to the break being the excuse for the University authority to remain silent on this development, especially since the crisis started all over again when the University resumed academic activities
