The Nigeria Police Force in Cross River State has denied reports that its officers exchanged gunfire with protesting students in Calabar, following unrest linked to a fatal road accident involving undergraduates.
The protest, led mainly by students of the University of Cross River State, was sparked by dissatisfaction over the treatment of colleagues who survived a weekend crash that claimed the lives of four students.
The accident reportedly occurred along the Odukpani axis of the Calabar–Itu highway as the students were returning from Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, when their vehicle collided head-on with a truck.
Six injured students were rescued by operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps and police personnel and taken to various hospitals, including the General Hospital in Calabar.
However, tensions rose when students alleged that their injured colleagues were not receiving adequate care, claiming there was a lack of food and proper medical attention. In response, protesters stormed the General Hospital on Mary Slessor Road, damaging property, including a hospital bus, windows, and other equipment. A video circulating online showed protesters pulling down the hospital’s signpost.
During the unrest, eyewitnesses alleged that clashes occurred between some protesters—many dressed in black—and security personnel, with claims of gunfire and casualties.
Reacting to the allegations, the police spokesperson in the state, Eitokpah Sunday Akata, denied that any student was 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 said.
Security presence was subsequently reinforced in key areas, with armed personnel of the Nigerian Army’s 13 Brigade seen securing their barracks near the hospital, while mobile police units patrolled surrounding neighbourhoods to prevent further escalation.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Health, Henry Egbe Ayuk, dismissed claims circulating on social media that the injured students were abandoned, describing such reports as misleading and inflammatory.
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.”
Ayuk stressed that all fatalities occurred at the accident scene and not due to any delay or failure in medical care.
“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.”
