9th October, 2012
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Authorities of the University Of Port Harcourt have shut down the institution as the protests by students over the murder of four of their colleagues by some villagers of Aluu community, turned violent.
The protests snowballed into an orgy of arson as students set ablaze houses of some residents in the community. Four students of the university had been stripped and paraded round the community before they were set ablaze over an alleged robbery last week.
The students had started their protest today by blocking the East/West road and attempting to manhandle the Vice-Chancellor of the University,Prof. Joseph Ajeinka who narrowly escaped.
P.M.NEWS learnt that the VC had attempted to address the students but the address almost provoked a mob action.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police command has charged eleven of the suspects earlier arrested in connection with the murder of the Port Harcourt 4.
The suspects were arraigned in court today with no plea taken.
Security has been beefed up in and around the University community, with the Joint Taskforce agents been deployed to Aluu community to checkmate the students.
The Rivers state government has warned that no student has right to destroy lives and property no matter their anger over what has happened.
Mrs Ibim Semenitari,the Commissioner for Information gave the warning against the backdrop of the news of arson being committed by students during their protest.
“Just as the government will deal decisively with those who killed the students,it will not fold its hands and watch innocent people killed by students in reprisal attack on the Umuokiree community,Aluu”.
Watch the video of how the Aluu community murdered the four students:
http://www.worldstaruncut.com/uncut/51320