Soldiers, UNIBEN students clash over naira notes

Some soldiers have been involved in a clash with the students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) after they jumped the queue to use one of the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) inside the school premises.

It was gathered that the soldiers were involved in an altercation with the students on Thursday over whose turn to withdraw from an ATM owned by one of the banks at the university premises.

It was learned that the clash erupted when the students resisted attempts by the soldiers to jump the queue to use the ATM, leading to fisticuffs between them.

The aggrieved students later barricaded the Ugbowo-Lagos Expressway and halt vehicular movements for several hours.

The Deputy Police Officer, DPO, Ugbowo Division, and other prominent persons were said to have appealed to the students to allow movement around the axis.

Speaking on the incident via a statement issued on Friday, the UNIBEN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, urged the students to always embrace dialogue in resolving issues rather than taking to protests at the slightest provocation.

Salami, who described the clash as unfortunate, said the incident has been brought under control.

The VC stated: “The unfortunate incident of the clash between some students and soldiers on Thursday, February 2, resulting from alleged resistance of students to the soldiers’ attempt to jump ATM queues on campus has been brought under control.

“Management of the university is in discussions with the hierarchy of the army in Benin (the Supply and Transport) for amicable resolution.

“Management acknowledges that these are challenging times for everyone and enjoins all to remain calm while efforts are being made to avert a recurrence.

“Management also calls on the students to constantly embrace dialogue in resolving issues that concern them rather than taking to protests, at any provocation.

“Such protests cause more injury and damage for the students and for other citizens.”

The Star