Cross River Varsity Students Protest Fatal Crash, Demand Action on Calabar–Itu Road

Students of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) on Monday staged a peaceful protest following the recent road crash involving members of the institution, which claimed the lives of three students and a staff member.

The protesters gathered at the Government house in Calabar to voice their concerns over the conditions of the Calabar–Itu highway.

The students also moved to the General Hospital in Calabar, where some of the injured victims are receiving treatment, expressing concern over what they described as gaps in emergency medical response after the accident.

Speaking to journalists, the student representative, Ogar Emmanuel, called on the government to improve the state’s medical facilities so they can respond effectively in times of emergency.

He also urged President Bola Tinubu to review the work of contractors handling the Calabar–Itu highway, saying the condition of the road contributed to the crash.

The student leader said the protest was not only to mourn their colleagues but also to demand practical steps that would help prevent a recurrence.

The protesters marched from the hospital to the state government house in Calabar.

Responding on behalf of the governor, the Deputy Governor, Peter Odey, assured the students that the government had taken note of their concerns and remained committed to supporting the injured victims as well as addressing issues raised in the aftermath of the incident.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Henryy Ayuk, also said the state would review the emergency response process surrounding the crash and strengthen coordination in public health facilities to improve service delivery during emergencies.

The protest adds to growing calls for urgent intervention on the Calabar–Itu highway, while attention also turns to improving emergency healthcare response as investigations into the crash continue.