Protests rock Calabar over de@th of UNICROSS students, driver

Students of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) on Monday, May 4, staged a protest at the General Hospital, Calabar, over what they described as a delayed and inadequate medical response to victims of a recent road accident involving members of the institution.

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The protest followed a tragic incident on Saturday, May 2, in which a vehicle conveying 24 students and a staff member was involved in an accident in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. The crash claimed at least four lives and left several others injured.

Many of the victims were said to be members of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) executive who were returning from an official engagement in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, at the time of the accident.

During the demonstration, the visibly aggrieved students accused hospital staff of failing to respond promptly, alleging that delays in providing emergency care contributed to the number of fatalities. They insisted that a more responsive intervention could have reduced the casualties.

The protesters, who carried placards and chanted solidarity songs, demanded accountability from hospital management and called for urgent reforms in the facility’s emergency response system.

Tension however escalated within the hospital premises after security personnel were deployed to maintain order. Teargascanisters were fired by the security agents to disperse the protesting students.

The students called on the Cross River State Government and relevant health authorities to launch a full investigation into the incident and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable. They also urged authorities to strengthen emergency healthcare services across the state to prevent a recurrence.