•••VC Calls For Calm
By John Ugo
The University of Benin was on
Thursday thrown into chaos , following fracas between soldiers, students and UNIBEN security at the University Main Gate,Ugbowo, Benin City, Edo State capital over alleged molestation of female students by soldiers who came to the campus to make some cash withdrawals from Auyomated Teller Machine (ATM) in the area.
An eye witness, who pleaded to remain anonymous said troubled started when three soldiers who entered the university campus begged the students who were on a long queue to excuse them to use the ATM machines of one of the commercial banks.
The source said after the three soldiers were done with their withdrawal, they called on two other soldiers who also came to interrupt the queue,but this time the students resisted, maintaining that they should allow one or two students make their withdrawal, which the soldiers saw as an affront to their persons.
It was also gathered that as the protest by the students was ongoing, a female student was allegedly caught by the soldiers making a video, and the infuriated, the soldiers called a female soldier to discipline the student, which sparked protest by students and the University security officials.
The soldiers left, but vowed to return.
It was alleged that they came back with a truck load of soldiers late in the night and destroyed more than thirty cars, both in and out of the school campus.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Lillian Salami in a press statement called for calm, adding that the school authority is in talk with the Army so as to resolve it amicably.
The statement with the title, “Call for Calm”, reads: “The unfortunate incident of the clash between some students of our university and soldiers on Thursday 2nd February, resulting from alleged resistance of students to the soldiers’ attempt to jump ATM queues on campus has been brought under control and the Management of the University is in discussions with the hierarchy of the S & T for amicable resolution.”l
“The Management acknowledges that these are challenging times for everyone and enjoins all to remain calm while efforts are being made to avert a re- occurrence.
“Management also calls on the students to constantly engage dialogue in resolving issues that concern them rather than taking to protests, at any provocation, thereby causing more injury and damage to themselves and other citizens,” she added.
