Benin – The 4 Mechanise Brigade, Nigerian Army, on Tuesday appealed to students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) over the death of two of their colleagues.
The army made the appeal in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the brigade, Capt. Jonah Unuakhalu.
It would be recalled that two female students of the university were on Sunday morning at about 8.30 a.m. crushed by Operation Pulo Shield Vehicle driven by a soldier in front of the university gate.
The death of one of the students, who was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention, was said to have sparked protest which grounded commercial activities at Ogbowo axis of Benin City on Tuesday.
While appealing for calm, the army said that the command had commenced an investigation to determine the actual cause of the incident.
The army also stated that efforts were being made to reach the families of the deceased.
“On Sunday morning at about 8.30 a.m. there was a road traffic accident involving Operation Pulo Shield Vehicle driven by a soldier that knocked down two females who were confirmed to be students of University of Benin.
“They were, however evacuated to a nearby hospital where one was confirmed dead, while the other student is responding to treatment.
“Efforts are being made by the command to reach the university authority and families of the two students involved in the accident and also to further dialogue with the Students Union Government to avert the protest but the students insisted on speaking with government officials.
“It is advisable that the students should keep calm as the command is looking into the issue,” the statement urged.
UNIBEN students during the protest in Benin
