One Shot As Drama Trails UNICAL Students Union Elections

By Edima Frank and Obeten Godfrey

The internal security organ of the University of Calabar on Tuesday shot a medical student of the institution in another twist to the 2018 student’s union government election of the varsity.

Mr. Kelvin Enyam had emerged winner in the controversial election which saw the voting portal suffer several glitches.

And, the incumbent president, Mr. Afufu Anthony is said to, alongside Mr. Enyam forcibly gained entrance to the medical hostel, Hall 2 at about 5:00PM which led to some students who had attempted to stop him injured.

They were then led to the common lounge where they were allegedly held hostage until the security operatives arrived threatening to shoot anyone who stood in their way after failing to break the locks to the hostel where Mr. Afufu was kept.

They are said to have fired into the air and aside which led to the shooting of one of the students.

The acting Chief Security Officer of the institution, Mr. Simon Jarlath upon arrival at the scene, spoke to the President of the student’s union Senate and warned that if Mr. Afufu was not released within a specified time, the police will be invited and they will gain entrance through whatever means they deemed fit.

Mr. Afufu was then released but pleas from the hostel residents to attend to the injured student fell on deaf ears with the security personnel shooting in the air as they drove off.

This had been preceded by allegations that the portal for the elections had been hacked when it began displaying “Sorry” at about 1:39PM; 11 minutes to the official closing time which was 2:00PM.

This continued till after 2:00PM and as at press time, the website could not be accessed again.

Meanwhile, the management of the institution has insisted on the payment of relevant school charges and dues by students as precondition for taking part in the Second Semester Examinations.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic in the institution, Professor Uche Amalu disclosed this while addressing a group of final year students who identified themselves as students of the Faculty of Management Science and clustered round the gate leading to the Vice Chancellor’s block on Wednesday that management took the tough stance after observing with dismay the laxity shown towards prompt payment of charges.

He admitted that though the Vice Chancellor is aware that some students come from humble backgrounds, it will not deter management from enforcing its decision owing to the long period of grace observed and the nonchalant attitude of many students.

Amalu said that the Professor Zana Akpagu administration will be failing in its duty of providing basic necessities to students if it trifles with payment of school charges.

On the plea by the students of being offered another opportunity to take part in examinations that they have missed, the Deputy Vice Chancellor said their case will be given attention by the Vice Chancellor after payment of relevant school charges.