A student of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, has been killed while another escaped with gunshot wounds as two rival cults battle for supremacy.

The incident is said to have started on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, when a 300-level student of UNIUYO, in the Geography Department, Faculty of Social Sciences was shot dead by some suspected cultists.

After the death of the student identified as Duke Alexander, a reprisal was launched by a rival group the following day.

A source who preferred not to be named said, “A student from the Department of Geography was killed on Tuesday. But, on Wednesday around 5 pm, we heard some gunshots in the Department of Fine Art and on getting there discovered that a final year student was shot. He was said to be rushed to an undisclosed hospital where he is undergoing treatment.”

Meanwhile, the Management of the institution has ordered all students to vacate hostels till further notice.

The statement issued on Thursday, July 1, by the Registrar of the University, Mr Aniediabasi Udofia, urged students whose academic activities were still running to do so from their respective homes.

“The University Management has given a directive that all students residing in the hostels in the University Campus should vacate same before 6pm of today, Thursday, July 01, 20211 till further notice,” the statement read.

“Students who have any ongoing academic activities (Examination or Research Projects) to do in the school during this period are advised to do so from their respective homes. By this notice, The Dean of Students and the Director, Security are requested to ensure that the hostels were evacuated as directed by the Management.”