'Oshiomole Thugs' demolish UniBEN Ex-VC's house, beat lecturers over property

One of the busses burt by the protesting UNIBEN students
(Twitter)

 

Students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin City today went on rampage after thugs demolished the house of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Godwin Osayuki Oshodin. Reports and eyewitness comments have it that the thugs, led by a certain Kababa, an alleged loyalist to the state governor, Adams Oshiomole, caused the anger of students after beating up some lecturers.

 

The lecturers were returning from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre where they had gone to protest what they called molestation by the Edo State Government, Daily Independent reports. As somelectures’ vehicles were destroyed while their personal items were stolen.

 

Several reports allege that the trouble is connected to the court case between the Edo state government and UNIBEN over 18 properties situated at a location in the GRA area, where some of the university's staff reside. After winning the first hearing, the state government reportedly went ahead to destroy the contested buildings, despite a pending appeal by the university and a court injunction. It was that singular act that turned into a face-off that began on Tuesday, spiralling into violence on Wednesday morning.

 

“The students are rioting this morning because Governor Oshiomhole demolished the house belonging to the former VC of the school,” a source quoted by Naij said.

 

“Benin is hot this morning, University of Benin students are rioting, blocking roads, burning cars, buses, and lorries; please, do not go towards that area for now,” another source quoted by the online medium state. The students burned some buses belonging to Oshiomole and also caused a traffic gridlock. Security operatives had to be called in to calm the situation.

Reports have it that the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo, who spoke with the SUG president, said Kabaka and his gang will be arrested. Adebanjo also allegedly ordered that the demolished building be rebuilt within seven days.