Suspected rival cultists went on a rampage at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education at Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, exchanging gunfire on Monday.

It was learnt that the clash was between two rival cult gangs identified as ‘Vikings’ and ‘Clansmen’ confraternities in a battle for supremacy.

Though the immediate cause of the clash could not be ascertained, it was gathered that the violence between the rival gangs erupted during the ongoing Students’ Union Government week of the university.

A viral video of the incident circulating on social media showed students scampering for safety as gunshots rent the air, though no casualty was recorded.

Thereafter, academic activities were temporarily halted as most students left the campus to hide in classrooms and hostels in order not to be hit by a stray bullet.

Commenting on the incident, a Port Harcourt-based rights activist, Charles Jaja, said the clash shows that the management of the institution had lost control of the campus of the state-owned institutions.

Jaja called on the university authorities to brace up to the challenge of rampaging cultists in the school, saying such development is unacceptable, especially in a university.

He stated, “Yesterday’s gunshot at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education is a sad reminder of what a university ought not to be, and I think that the school management has lost control of its campus.

“There must be a deliberate attempt by them (management) to do things differently. And I think that they should understudy what was done at the Rivers State University (sister institution) under the watch of Prof. Barineme Fakae as Vice Chancellor then.

“The model he used was simple. It was just enforcement of rules and intelligence-driven security and swift sanctions, which was what was needed to push cultism to the barest minimum and gave birth to the peace on the campus.”

“This is what I advocate because at a time, a university which is supposed to be a place for character building, research and learning has now become a theatre for cultism and violence. This is unacceptable.”

Also speaking to our correspondent on Tuesday morning, another rights activist and National Coordinator, Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, Prince Wiro, expressed worry over repeated cult clashes in the school.

Wiro described the latest clash as embarrassing to the institution and the state government. “There have been reported cases of cult clashes in and around the university in the last one year before the latest incident on Monday.

“Such repeated incidents suggest the security arrangements in the institution may not be adequate. It will also erode the confidence of parents in the security architecture of the university, and many parents may not want their children to be enrolled in the university.

“I use this medium to call on the Rivers State Governor, who is the visitor to the institution, to invite the leadership of the university with a view to discussing ways of enhancing security in and out of the institution,” he stated.

When contacted on Tuesday morning, spokesman of the State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, confirmed that it was a clash between rival gangs on the campus.

Agabe dismissed claims that the gunshots heard during the clash were fired by operatives, insisting that men of the command responded to a distress call and promptly arrived at the scene and restored calm.

She stated, “It was a clash between two cult groups. The Police responded promptly and arrived at the scene in good time, successfully bringing the situation under control, saying investigation is ongoing.

“No shots were fired by the Police, as the officers only took proactive measures necessary to contain and arrest the situation. No lives were lost. However, members of the groups fled the scene, while investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend those involved.” (The PUNCH)