UNIBEN students beat up soldier over ‘use of ATM’
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.
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.
