Cultists shoot 100-level student as Rivers varsity suspends SUG week
August 12, 2026 9:00 pm
The Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe.
By Dennis Naku
A yet-to-be-identified 100-level student of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Rivers State, was reportedly shot on the campus on Wednesday by suspected cultists.
The incident occurred 48 hours after rival cult groups, said to be engaged in a supremacy battle, went on a shooting spree on Monday, causing tension on the campus.
Monday’s clash was reportedly between suspected members of the Vikings and Klu Klux Klan cult groups.
Though details of the latest incident were sketchy as of the time of filing this report, a source close to the victim told newsmen that the student was rushed to a hospital, where efforts were being made to perform surgery to remove bullet pellets lodged in his body.
The source, who neither disclosed his name nor the identity of the victim due to the sensitive nature of the issue, added, “His close friends were contributing money to raise funds for the surgery to happen.”
However, it could not be independently verified whether the victim was a member of any cult group.
Meanwhile, a viral video circulating online showed the injured student lying on a hospital bed and being carried into the institution’s campus by his coursemates.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, had on Monday confirmed that the earlier clash involved two suspected cult groups, saying the command was investigating the incident.
When contacted on Wednesday’s shooting, Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said she had seen the viral video but would obtain details from the Divisional Police Officer in the area and get back to our correspondent.
The state police spokesperson had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report on Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, the management of the university has suspended all remaining activities for the Students’ Union Government Week and directed students to return to their classrooms on Thursday, August 13, 2026, for normal academic activities.
The suspension was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday by the Registrar of the institution, Dr Chinonye Ajie, and obtained by our correspondent.
It warned that any student who failed to attend lectures would be held responsible for their actions, while management advised students to desist from actions capable of undermining their academic pursuits and threatening the peace and security of the university.
The statement read, “This is to inform the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education community that all remaining activities for the Students’ Union Government (SUG) Week have been suspended by the University Management with immediate effect.
“Students are therefore advised to return to classes on Thursday, August 13, 2026, for normal academic activities.
“Any student who fails to attend lectures will be held responsible for their actions.
“Students are also strongly warned to desist from any action that is inimical to their academic pursuits and the peace of the University.”
Details later…
Dennis Naku is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with approximately 19 years of professional experience. He has previously worked with Champion Newspapers and National Mirror Newspaper, reporting across multiple beats. His work reflects extensive newsroom experience and a commitment to professional journalism practice.
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