Rivers Varsity Student Shot As Cult Violence Returns

A 100-level student of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, in Rivers State was hit by gunfire on Wednesday, in what is now the second violent incident on the campus in under a week.

The Wednesday shooting came just 48 hours after suspected rival cult groups exchanged gunfire on the same campus on Monday, an earlier clash reportedly tied to a supremacy dispute between suspected members of the Vikings and Ku Klux Klan cult groups. That Monday confrontation lasted roughly 20 minutes and sent students scrambling for safety during the university's Students' Union Government Week celebrations, though no one was hurt in that incident.

Details of Wednesday's shooting were still limited at the time of reporting. According to a source close to the victim, the student was rushed to hospital, where doctors began preparing for surgery to remove bullet pellets lodged in his body.

"His close friends were contributing money to raise funds for the surgery to happen," the source said, declining to disclose the student's identity given the sensitivity of the situation.

It could not be independently confirmed whether the injured student had any cult affiliation. That distinction matters. A previous student killed in a similar shooting on this same campus last year was also initially linked to cult activity in early reports, before his family publicly and firmly stated he had no such record and was simply caught in the violence.

Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent Blessing Agabe, said the command was already investigating Monday's clash. Asked about Wednesday's shooting, she confirmed she had seen video footage circulating online and said she would seek further details from the local Divisional Police Officer. As of Wednesday night, no additional information had been released.

In the wake of the shooting, university management suspended all remaining Students' Union Government Week activities with immediate effect.

Registrar Dr. Chinonye Ajie confirmed the decision in a statement released in Port Harcourt.

"This is to inform the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Community that all remaining activities for the Students' Union Government Week have been suspended by the University Management with immediate effect," the statement read.

Students were directed to return to normal academic activities the following day.

"Students are therefore advised to return to classes on Thursday, August 13th, 2026, for normal academic activities," the statement added.

The university warned that students who skipped lectures would be held responsible for their own absence, and urged the student body to avoid any conduct that could threaten their academic standing or the institution's overall safety.