The Engineering students of the University of Uyo this afternoon went
for a peaceful
demonstration to the office of the school's Vice Chancellor, Prof
Comfort Ekpo, after the VC mandated students to pay N100 for the school
bus which used to be free. The school management had shifted most of the
Science student courses to the school's permanent site which is about
20 minutes drive from the main campus, and then made the shuttle N100.
That means students will have to pay N200 to and fro everyday to the
permanent
campus for most of their lectures.
This was what the students were protesting this afternoon when things
went crazy. The peaceful protest turned violent after security officials
at the V.C's
office tried to stop the students from gaining access to the Vice
Chancellor.
The students allegedly retaliated by throwing stones at the
security officials, who then called for
police back-up which led to the riot. The police arrived the scene and
aggravated the situation by firing shots at the students, killing at least one student. Some say two. Some say three.
Angry students now proceeded to burn down the VC's office, the exams and
records building, and a security office. Students have been evacuated
from the hostel, and the school has been shut down indefinitely.