Ebonyi State University Expels Three Students Over Firearms Possession

The management of Ebonyi State University (EBSU) has expelled three students allegedly found in possession of firearms during the institution’s recently concluded Students’ Union Government (SUG) election.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Michael Awoke, announced the expulsion during the inauguration of the newly elected SUG executives at the university’s main campus in Abakaliki.

The expelled students were arrested by the police in September after they were allegedly caught with guns and live ammunition during the SUG election.

They reportedly fired shots to disperse students and allegedly attempted to attack the Dean of Student Affairs, injuring one student in the process.

Awoke said the expulsion will send a strong message that violence, cultism, and intimidation would no longer be tolerated within the institution and serve as a deterrent to others.

He warned that the era of cultism was over in the university as anyone found guilty of cultism, examination malpractice, or anyone found to be in possession of weapons to intimidate students or staff of the university would be shown the way out of the university.

Awoke emphasised that EBSU has zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractice, and all forms of violence, stressing that the university must remain a place of learning, discipline, and peace.

“This issue of cultism is banned in Ebonyi State University as long as Professor Michael Awoke is the Vice Chancellor.

“This issue of coming to the University environment with guns must stop. The issue of using guns to intimidate my lecturers to award you marks must stop with immediate effect.

“To that effect, these three students already involved are hereby expelled from the University,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor assured that the case is already before a competent court and justice would take its course, adding that the expulsion would serve as a deterrent to others.

The management gave the names of the expelled students to include Azubjike Lawrence – Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Enyinnaya Ibe Kenneth – Department of Architecture, and Njoku Joshua – Department of Animal Science.