One killed in Edo cult clash as PDP condemns hijack of protests

UNIBEN, Igbinedion varsity foreclose resumption of academic activities
Violence broke out yesterday between members of Eiye and Aye confraternities leading to the death of a member of one of the rival groups during a fracas in Benin City.

A source, who asked not to be named, said there was a free for all between the cult groups, as members of engaged themselves along Medical Stores Road in the city.

He said the fight led to the killing of one of the members of the cult group, whose body was abandoned on the road for hours, while the EndSARS protests lasted.

The cult boys who fired guns and danced around the streets in anger over the killing of their member, have, however, deserted the road following government’s curfew order,” he said.

What led to the fight between the cult groups could not be immediately ascertained, as at the time of filing this report, as the police Public Relations Officer (PRO), DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, could not be reached for comments.

BESIDES, the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, condemned the infiltration of the #EndSARS protests by hoodlums, urging residents to comply with government’s directive on the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state.

State Publicity Secretary of the party, Chris Nehikare, in a statement said, “As a responsible and compassionate political party, we did not only support the #EndSARS protests, but encouraged our supporters and members to join in the legitimate protests.

“We welcomed the dissolution of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and supported the call for immediate steps to completely overhaul and restructure the entire police architecture to engender professionalism, adherence to rule of law and respect for the fundamental rights of Nigerians.

“Our decision to support the #EndSARS movement is in order to bring about a better Nigeria, where justice and freedom from oppression prevail. The sad events at the Benin and Oko prisons, as well as other areas around the metropolis on Monday can lead to total breakdown of law and order,” he added.

MEANWHILE, following unrest occasioned by the protests, managements of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO) have told parents, guardians and students of the universities that they have not fixed a date for resumption of academic activities.

A statement issued by UNIBEN’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, revealed that the rumour that the institution had fixed October 24, 2020 as resumption date, should be disregarded.

“Management of the institution led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Lilian Salami, has continued to consult with all stakeholders and an official announcement on resumption will be made in due course,” the statement reads.

On its part, Registrar of the Igbinedion University, Benji Bakare, said, “Its management has considered the ongoing protests and decided to adjust the resumption dates for fresh and returning students for the 2020/2021 academic session.”