Ebonyi State University (EBSU) has expelled three students allegedly involved in a shooting incident during the institution’s recent Students’ Union Government (SUG) election.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Michael Awoke, announced the expulsion during the inauguration of the newly elected SUG executives at the university’s main campus in Abakaliki. He described the incident as “unacceptable and criminal,” vowing to uphold a zero-tolerance policy against cultism, violence, and intimidation.
“This issue of cultism is banned in Ebonyi State University as long as Professor Michael Awoke is the Vice Chancellor,” he declared. “The issue of using guns to intimidate my lecturers to award you marks must stop with immediate effect.”
The expelled students were reportedly arrested by the police in September after allegedly firing gunshots to disrupt the announcement of election results. One student was injured in the chaos, and the suspects also allegedly attempted to attack the Dean of Student Affairs.
Professor Awoke emphasized that the case is already before a competent court and assured that justice will be pursued. “Being a student, you unlawfully have a gun you use to intimidate your fellow students and Dean because of the SUG election — it is not acceptable,” he said.
He added that the expulsion is intended to serve as a deterrent to others and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to maintaining EBSU as a place of learning, discipline, and peace.
“These students are hereby rusticated. They are no longer my students,” he stated firmly.
