2 Die In UNIPORT …As Students, Man-O-War Clash

President Goodluck Jonathan (middle) inaugurating Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Academy in Abuja, last Friday. With him is Minister of Interior, Capt Emmanuel Iheana

Two students of the University of Port Harcourt have been confirmed dead following a fracas that broke out between some Man-O-War men and students of the university, last Friday.

The Tide On Sunday investigation revealed that trouble started when a member of the Man-O-War wanted to force one Bassey, a final year Education student, to buy his cell phone.

According to our source, the student (now late) accepted to buy the phone but was unable to pay off N100 balance as requested by the Man-O-War member.

It was reliably gathered that the failure of the ill-fated student (Bassey) to pay off the balance caused a bloody fight between him and the Man-O-War member which left him dead few minutes after the fracas, due to the serious injuries sustained.

A police officer, we also learnt, who is also a student died in the fracas in an attempt to rescue his friend (Bassey) from the hands of the Man-O-War man.

The Tide On Sunday further learnt that the students, angered by the unfortunate development, pursued the Man-O-War man who is now at large, and set all his belonging ablaze.

We also gathered that the students, went after other Man-O-War members and also destroyed their property.

The Tide On Sunday reliably gathered that the fight was not cult-related as earlier rumoured.

Contacted for comment, the Public Relations Officer of UNIPORT, Mr Williams Wodi confirmed the story and debunked insinuations that five persons died in the clash.

Meanwhile, the university authorities yesterday, asked all the students to vacate the campus in order to prevent further breakdown of law and order in the university campus.