Soldiers, UNIBEN students fight over who should use the ATM, causing panic
On Thursday, University of Benin students and some troops got into an altercation on the school’s grounds over a cash withdrawal from an ATM used by the bank.
The troops’ alleged attempts to cut in front of the students who had been waiting patiently in line for their turn reportedly set off the trouble.
A source claimed that the students were upset with the S&T Barracks soldiers since they had oppressively done the same thing on Wednesday.
“On Wednesday, they came here and harassed the students,” the source reported. Even the pupils who challenged them were asked to lie down. The student, however, objected when they tried to do it again today (Thursday).
While confrontations broke out between the students and the troops, the institution’s chief security officer stepped in and was allegedly beaten by the soldiers.
The situation enraged the kids and slowed down traffic on routes to and from the school, causing gridlock.
In order to calm the enraged students and permit traffic movements around the axis, some brave Nigerians and the Divisional Police Officer Ugbowo Division had to intervene.
When reached, the state deputy police spokesman, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, said that calm had returned to the neighborhood following multiple appeals to the students, who had been demanding that a colleague’s broken phone be fixed.
The Vice Chancellor of the School, Prof. Lilian Salami, issued a statement on Friday that was received by Voice Air Media in which she referred to the situation as regrettable and urged restraint.
The statement continues, “The sad occurrence of the clash between certain students of our university and troops on Thursday, February 2 has been brought under control and the management of the University is in contact with the hierarchy of the S&T for amicable resolution.
“The administration recognizes that these are trying times for everyone and asks that everyone maintain their composure while measures are done to prevent a recurrence.
The administration further urges the students to engage in ongoing discussions to find solutions to their problems rather than resorting to violent protests that endanger both themselves and other citizens.
