The Cross River State command of Nigeria Police have denied gunfire exchange with University students in Calabar, Cross River State capital, on Monday morning.
mostly students from the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS, were reported to have taken to the streets to protest poor attention from the state government to their colleagues who survived fatal motor accident over the weekend where four of their colleagues died.
The student were returning from Uyo in Akwa Ibom State and the incident happened on the Odukpani axis of the Calabar-Itu federal highway when a truck had a head on collision with their vehicle.
Six of the students were evacuated by teams of policemen and Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC personnel to different hospital, including the general hospital Calabar.
However, the UNICROSS students said ever since the injured colleagues were taken ther, neither foods nor medical attention was effectively administered.
As a result, they stormed the general hospital on Mary Slessor Road in Calabar and damaged the hospital bus, smashed glasses and destroyed other equipment. A trending video shows how they forcibly brought down the signpost if the hospital.
During the protest, eye witnesses claimed some of the students, most of whom adorned black outfits, were exchanging gunfire with the police, leading to the death of two students
Reacting, the state PPRO, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata denied that any students were killed during the protest
“Non of the protesters was gunned down. Smoke guns were shot into the air to control the protesters who were beginning to be violent”, Akata told journalists.
The police personnel and armed soldiers were seen taking over certain black spots.
Armed Men of the 13 Brigade of Nigerian Army were seen guarding their barracks, not far from the general hospital while Mobile Policemen paraded the adjoining neighbourhood to guard against the protest being hijacked.
Meanwhile, the commissioner for health in the state, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk issued a rejoinder over what he called misleading social media claims that the injured students were abandoned.
He said the claims were inflammatory, and unfounded.
He said it was both unfortunate and irresponsible that certain individuals have chosen this moment of grief to spread misinformation, incite public sentiment, and pursue personal relevance under the guise of public commentary.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the emergency response to the incident was swift and coordinated. Upon arrival of the victims at General Hospital Calabar, available medical personnel were mobilized, while efforts were made to contact additional healthcare professionals to reinforce response capacity.
“However, given the severity of some of the injuries sustained, officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps made the professional decision to transfer critically injured victims to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), a tertiary facility better equipped to manage such complex trauma cases.”
He emphasised that it was important to state that all fatalities recorded from the accident occurred at the scene. No lives were lost due to delayed or inadequate medical attention at any health facility.
“Contrary to claims by some social media commentators, emergency situations of this magnitude prioritize immediate life-saving interventions over media engagement.
“Relevant authorities were fully engaged on the ground, working diligently to stabilize victims and prevent further loss of life.”
