Protest Rocks UNICROSS Over Death Of Students

By Akinwale Kasali 

Angry Students of the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS, stormed the streets of Calabar, Cross River State Capital, protesting the death of three colleagues and their driver, who, allegedly died due to negligence at the General Hospital Calabar.

The aggrieved Students in their hundreds marched from the University Campus along Mary Slessor Avenue to the hospital, destroying signage, before proceeding to the Governor’s Office, where they clashed with heavily armed Policemen who restricted them from gaining entrance. 

During the confrontation  many of the Students sustained various degrees of injuries, prompting hospital Staff to desert the facility for fear of reprisal attacks.

It would be recalled that three students and their driver died in a ghastly accident while returning from an official assignment in Akwa Ibom State.

The students accused the hospital of failing to attend to them promptly upon arrival.

Following the massive protest that rocked the State and the confrontation the Students had with the Police, Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah said they have been able to put the situation under control.

“I’ve been right on the scene from the onset, and so far so good; we’ve been able to put the situation under control,” he said.

He added that Police had dispersed the protesters amid rising tension.

But the aggrieved Students were not allowed to see the Governor to express their grievances as they were dispersed.

There is however fear that the students may have gone to mobilize, as there is palpable tension that there may be reprisal attack.

The Police PRO had said  the situation has been curtailed and sanity returned to the State.