UNICAL: Confusion As Management Cancels GSS Examination, Fixes New Date
By Abraham UKPA
There was pandemonium on Monday, 7th August, 2023 as the University of Calabar following the cancellation of a General Studies (GSS) examination earlier scheduled to take place on the said date.
It was gathered that prior information on the cancellation of the exam were not dished out to the students as all the candidates had already converged at the Examination venue only to hear that the scheduled examination has been cancelled due to the 2022/2023 second semester's solemn assembly held on Monday at the instruction's International conference centre.
Regrettably, the cancellation of the exam triggered a chaotic stampede afterwards within the examination premises resulting to students sustaining various degrees of injury including minor abrasions, scratches, broken limbs, lacerated ears and instances of bleeding.
In a related development, several students were also reported to have lost their personal belongings, including slippers and other items, amidst the chaos.
In an interview with some of the victims, a 100 level student of Theatre and Media Studies (name withheld) who had a fracture of the right leg, lamented on the situation while saying that he did not expect such ugly incident.
Others include a Mass Communication student who who had bruises and scratches including a student who resides at Windsworth hostel with a scratch on her left ear that was mildly bleeding at the time of filing this report.
Responding to the incident, the University authorities took the decision to shift the GSS exams to Monday, 14th August, 2023. However, this sudden change of plans further intensified the distress among the students, who had to grapple with both the emotional aftermath of the stampede and the uncertainty surrounding their academic schedule.
Before the stampede and exam cancellation, security personnel on the scene attempted to manage the situation, but their actions took a troubling turn.
Reports indicate that some security personnel resorted to using aggressive tactics, including the brandishing of guns and whips. This escalation of force served to exacerbate panic and fear among the already traumatized students.
Some students who spoke to the Beagle news on campus had this to say:
"The university administration must urgently address the implications of this incident. The well-being of the injured students requires immediate attention, with provisions for medical care and psychological support."
"Furthermore, a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading up to the exam cancellation, the stampede, and the actions of the security personnel is essential to understanding the sequence of events and ensuring accountability".
They further opined that the incident underscores the necessity of reviewing and revising campus security protocols. The safety of students and the academic environment are paramount, and it is crucial to ensure that security personnel are trained to handle situations without resorting to excessive force.
The incident has left a lasting impact on the students, necessitating immediate support and a concerted effort to prevent similar incidents in the future. The safety, security, and well-being of the university community should remain at the forefront of all considerations moving forward.
