The Students Union Government President of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, has rejected police claims that a cult clash occurred on the university premises on Monday during the ongoing SUG Week celebration, offering an account that directly contradicts the position of the Rivers State Police Command.

The SUG President, Comrade Alex Onu, maintained that no cult confrontation or exchange of gunfire took place on campus, insisting that the only shot heard was fired by police officers into the air to disperse unknown persons who had entered the institution during the SUG Week activities.

"They didn't resist the police at all. As soon as the police shot into the air, they left immediately," Onu stated.

Onu further noted that students continued participating in scheduled SUG Week activities until about 7 p.m. on Monday, questioning how a prolonged cult clash could have occurred on campus without disrupting the programmes. He urged journalists to verify sensitive security reports before publication, warning that sensational accounts could heighten tension within the university community.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Command, ASP Blessing Agabe, however, described the incident as a clash between two cult groups, stating that operatives responded promptly and restored calm. Agabe confirmed that no lives were lost and that members of the groups fled the scene, adding that investigation remained ongoing to identify and apprehend those involved.

"No shots were fired by the Police," Agabe stated, noting that officers applied only proportionate measures necessary to contain the situation.

A lecturer at the institution, who requested anonymity, supported the SUG President's account. The lecturer stated that the venue of the incident was directly behind the office and that no shooting between cult groups occurred, attributing the gunshot to police action as tensions on the premises rose.

Rights activist Charles Jaja called on the university management to strengthen campus security, arguing that the institution had lost control of its premises. Prince Wiro, National Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, described the incident as embarrassing and urged the Rivers State Governor to engage the university leadership on measures to enhance security within and around the campus.