By Abasi Ita
The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, on Monday moved swiftly to calm protesting students of the University of Cross River State following the tragic death of three students in a motor accident along the Itu Odukpani Road.
The students had taken to the streets to protest the accident involving a truck and a bus conveying students returning from a friendly female football match in Uyo on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
In a statement issued by the Office of the Deputy Governor, the government said Odey immediately invited 10 student leaders for dialogue and assured them of the state government’s support and commitment to the welfare of the injured victims.
The statement disclosed that the deputy governor provided his personal vehicles and security personnel to assist in evacuating injured students to hospitals for urgent medical attention.
Governor Bassey Otu was also said to have earlier expressed condolences to the families of the deceased students and the university community over the tragic incident.
According to the statement, the protesters first moved to the General Hospital before proceeding to Millennium Park and later to the Governor’s Office in Calabar.
The government explained that traffic was blocked for several hours at Millennium Park before the students were persuaded to reopen the road.
“At a point during the protest, the situation became rowdy after the leadership structure among the protesters broke down and some individuals began vandalising government property,” the statement said.
It added that police operatives used tear gas to disperse the crowd and restore order after the disturbance escalated.
“No one was shot. This fact must be clearly stated to ensure that misinformation does not distort the facts or unnecessarily inflame public sentiment,” the statement added.
The government acknowledged concerns raised by the students over healthcare facilities and the poor state of the Calabar Itu Road but maintained that the temporary breakdown of law and order should not be blamed on the state government.
The statement further explained that some victims were referred from the General Hospital to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital because the General Hospital became overwhelmed by the number of casualties.
It stressed that the referral was not because the General Hospital lacked medical equipment or personnel.
The deputy governor also directed the Commissioner for Health to remain actively engaged in the treatment of the victims, while government undertook responsibility for all medical bills.
Government further revealed that a detailed report had been requested on the condition of facilities at the General Hospital to enable authorities address identified gaps.
The statement urged members of the public to avoid spreading misinformation capable of escalating tension, assuring that the administration remains committed to constructive engagement and the welfare of students and residents across the state.
It also sympathised with the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of injured victims.
