A group of students at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) took
to the streets to protest over some colleagues of theirs who were reported to
have been assaulted by military personnel in an ATM queue.
A video surfaced on social media showing a man in military
uniform being beaten up by irate students in UNIBEN.
Prior to the attack, soldiers attached to the Army Supply
and Transport (S&T) Barracks, Ugbowo, Benin City were said to have
assaulted some students who protested their attempt to jump the queue at an ATM
within the university.
It was gathered that they had, on Wednesday, subdued
students to jump the queue and did the same on Thursday.
It is understood that, on the second attempt, conflict
ensued after the students insisted that they join the queue.
— Lemonade_🍹 (@_kathiiie) February 2, 2023
— Lemonade_🍹 (@_kathiiie) February 2, 2023
Videos circulated on social media in which more students
chanted in protest while creating tension within the varsity campus.
Lilian Salami, the vice-chancellor, in a reaction on Friday,
said the “unfortunate” conflict has been tamed.
She said the varsity management is in discussions with the
hierarchy of the S & T for an amicable resolution.
“The management acknowledges that these are challenging
times for everyone and enjoins all to remain calm while efforts are being made
to avert a re-occurrence,” the VC added.
“Management also
calls on the students to constantly engage in dialogue in resolving issues that
concern them rather than taking to protests, at any provocation, thereby
causing more injury and damage to themselves.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been in the full glare
of publicity in recent months over the redesign and circulation of its newly
designed naira notes.
The apex bank said the decision to redesign the N200, N500,
and N1,000 notes was to address cash hoarding and money forgery.
But the notes have hardly been in circulation, with many
Nigerians unable to access cash for their domestic needs.
This has caused major distress to citizens, creating long queues at ATMs where withdrawals are being rationed.
Maybe he wanted to show them power on that difficult situation.
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