The University of Uyo (UNIUYO) in Akwa Ibom, South-South Nigeria, is currently burning as students riot over the alleged shooting of four of their colleagues by the police.

“Four of our colleagues have just been shot dead by the police,” a UNIUYO student told News Express. “It’s unfortunate.”

An Uyo-based journalist, Akaninyene Oton, named Kingsley Okon Edet a.k.a Kesy as one of those shot dead by the police. He said that the offices of the Vice Chancellor, Professor (Mrs.) Comfort Memfin Ekpo, and the Registrar have been burnt down. “UNIUYO right now is still burning as police take over adjoining streets,” Oton said.

News Express learnt that trouble started when the Vice Chancellor ordered students of the Faculty of Science to move to the Main Campus at Nwaniba. The students asked for buses to convey them to lectures in view of the distance and launched a protest when the request was not granted. This afternoon, UNIUYO authorities called in the police, then tragedy.

According to Oton, there has been “heavy shootings and tear-gassing along Ikot Ekpene, Ikpa, Ibiam roads by UNIUYO axis by the police to disperse the protesting students.”

A UNIUYO student interviewed by News Express blamed the school authorities, saying that the relocation of the students should not have been done mid-session.

•Photo shows UNIUYO VC, Prof. (Mrs.) Comfort Memfin Ekpo.