The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council (JCC), Cross River State Axis, has expressed concern over alleged delayed medical attention for some students injured in the recent road accident involving 24 students and a staff of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS).

The student body said some of the victims of the crash, which claimed the lives of three students and a university driver, were allegedly denied or delayed treatment at the General Hospital shortly after the incident.

Chairman of NANS JCC in Cross River, Victor Asuquo, raised the concern in a statement issued on Saturday while mourning the deceased students and sympathising with survivors receiving treatment at different hospitals.

According to him, NANS officials visited hospitals where the victims were admitted and observed that while some students were responding to treatment, others remained in critical condition.

“We express our strong concern and dissatisfaction over reports that some affected students were initially denied or delayed medical attention at the General Hospital. In moments of emergency, access to prompt and adequate healthcare should never be compromised,” the statement read.

The association called on relevant authorities to investigate the alleged incident and ensure such occurrences do not happen again.

NANS, however, commended the management and staff of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) and Arubah Specialist Hospital for their swift response and professionalism in attending to the victims.

The body also praised the Vice Chancellor of UNICROSS, Professor Francisca Bassey, for personally visiting the injured students at the hospitals late into the night, describing the gesture as compassionate and responsible leadership.

Meanwhile, the University of Cross River State community has been thrown into mourning following the tragic accident.

In a statement signed by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Onen Ebri , the university disclosed that the students, mostly members of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) executive, were returning from an official assignment in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, when the accident occurred in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The university identified the deceased students as Solomon Uya, Director of Sports of the SUG; Lucky Erim of the Department of Chemistry and President of the Faculty of Physical Sciences Students’ Association; and Favour Darlington of the Department of Educational Management.

The driver of the vehicle, Mr Anthony Arikpo, a staff member of the institution, also died in the crash.

The university said survivors are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals, while the Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey, alongside the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Stella Maris-Okey, visited the injured students and monitored their treatment through the night.

The institution expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and assured injured students and their relatives of continued support and proper medical attention.

As part of mourning measures, NANS directed all student associations in the state to suspend social activities for seven days in honour of the deceased students and staff member.