Students of the University of Calabar have raised serious concerns about the deteriorating condition of several hostels on campus, with many fearing that the buildings could collapse due to structural damage.

The alarming situation was highlighted during a phone-in segment of the university’s Unical International Radio programme, What I Will Do If I Had Power to Run Unical, on Thursday evening.

Students, particularly those residing in Hostels 8 and 9, expressed deep worry about the growing number of cracks appearing on the walls, exacerbated by the ongoing heavy rains in Calabar.

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These cracks, they fear, could lead to the collapse of the structures, posing a significant safety risk to residents.

Jane, a female student from Malabo Republic, spoke out on the programme, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue.

She said, “If I had the power to run this school, the first thing I would do is initiate a massive renovation of the hostels, especially those in Malabo Republic.

“The cracks in the walls of halls 1, 2, 4, 8, and 9 are major safety concerns. The rains we’ve been having could worsen the situation and lead to a disaster. These walls could cave in at any time, and the consequences could be devastating.”

Other students echoed similar concerns, highlighting the lack of basic amenities such as electricity, which has contributed to unhygienic conditions within the hostels.

This has led to unhealthy activities in the dormitories, further adding to the students’ frustrations.

In response to the complaints, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Florence Bankong Obi, assured the students that the issue had been noted and that action would be taken to address the dilapidated state of the hostels.

“We are aware of the situation, and it has already been included in our plans for immediate action,” Prof. Obi stated.

The students are now calling on the university administration, as well as the Students’ Union Government, to prioritize the renovation of the hostels and ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.

A Rwandan soldier has reportedly opened fire inside a bar, resulting in the deaths of five civilians in a southwestern Rwandan town.

The incident, which took place early Wednesday, led to the arrest of the soldier, identified by the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) as a 39-year-old sergeant. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, according to the army’s statement.

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“The RDF has arrested the suspect and will take necessary legal action against him,” said the military in an official release.

In a similar case, Rwandan soldiers faced accusations in 2020 after allegedly raping and assaulting civilians during the Covid lockdown in the Kangondo slum of Kigali, the nation’s capital. The incident, involving six soldiers, raised significant public concern at the time.

This tragic event has drawn national and international attention, with calls for swift justice for the victims.

The Kwara State University (KWASU) has clarified that Ayeyemi Sulaiman, reportedly killed by the police in the Tanke area of Ilorin, Kwara State, is not a current student of the Institution.

According to a statement from Dr. Saeedat Aliyu, the acting Director of University Relations, Sulaiman had voluntarily withdrawn from the university’s Department of Statistics in the 2018/2019 academic session when he was in his second year.

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Dr. Aliyu expressed KWASU’s condolences, stating, “The management of Kwara State University strongly sympathises with the family of the deceased and prays that God gives the family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

In response to the incident, the Kwara State Police Command confirmed the death and stated that an investigation is ongoing. Police spokesperson DSP Ejire-Adeyemi Toun said some officers have been detained and are undergoing an orderly room trial at the Police Headquarters.

“The Kwara State Police Command is aware of this unfortunate incident which led to the sudden death of Suleiman Olayinka (M) 27yrs,” Toun said, adding that officers involved had been identified and detained as part of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.