Police, Students Disagree Over Shooting In Rivers Varsity Campus

Rivers State Police Command and the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, have differed on Monday’s shooting on the campus.

Members of two rival cult groups had clashed in the school during the opening of the 2026 Students’ Week over territorial control.

LEADERSHIP learnt that the incident disrupted academic and other activities on the campus as students and staff reportedly scampered to safety.

While the institution’s  SUG president, Comrade Alex Onu, insisted that the shooting was carried out by the police, the command’s spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, said no single shot was fired by the law enforcement agents.

Speaking with newsmen, Onu dismissed reports that suspected cultists engaged in a gun battle on the university premises.

He stated that the only gunshot heard within the campus was fired by the police into the air to disperse some unknown persons who had entered the school during the ongoing SUG Week celebration.

But, Agabe, who confirmed that the clash was between two rival cult groups, said the police responded promptly to the incident and successfully brought the situation under control.

“The police responded promptly and arrived at the scene in good time, successfully bringing the situation under control. No shots were fired by the police, as the officers only took proportionate measures necessary to contain and arrest the situation.

“No lives were lost. However, members of the groups fled the scene, while investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend those involved,” she said.