Rival cultists exchange gunfire at Rivers varsity during students’ week

Rival cultists exchanged gunfire at Ignatius Ajuru University in Rivers State. Learn about the clash between Vikings and Clansmen confraternities. Read More: https://punchng.com/gunshots-as-rival-cultists-clash-at-rivers-varsity/

Suspected members of rival cult groups opened fire at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Rumuolumeni, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Monday.Reports indicate the confrontation involved the Vikings and Clansmen confraternities in a supremacy battle. The violence broke out during the university’s ongoing Students’ Union Government Week, though the exact trigger remains unclear.A video circulating on social media captured students fleeing in panic as shots rang out. No casualties were reported. Academic activities were briefly disrupted as many students left the campus or took cover in classrooms and hostels to avoid potential stray bullets.Port Harcourt-based rights activist Charles Jaja criticized the university management, arguing it has lost control of the campus. He urged authorities to adopt stricter enforcement, intelligence-based security, and swift sanctions—approaches he said previously reduced cultism at Rivers State University under former Vice Chancellor Prof. Barineme Fakae. Jaja described the incident as incompatible with a university’s role as a place of learning and character development.Prince Wiro, National Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, expressed concern over recurring cult clashes at the institution over the past year. He warned that inadequate security could undermine parental confidence and enrollment, and called on the Rivers State Governor, as visitor to the university, to meet with school leadership to strengthen campus safety measures.Rivers State Police Command spokesman Blessing Agabe confirmed the clash between two cult groups. She stated that officers responded promptly to a distress call, restored calm without firing any shots, and that no lives were lost. Members of the groups fled the scene, and investigations continue to identify and arrest those involved.