Protests broke out in Calabar after three students of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) and their driver died in a weekend road accident, sparking outrage over alleged negligence at the General Hospital Calabar.
The victims were returning from an official assignment in Akwa Ibom State when their bus collided with a container truck along the Calabar–Itu Highway, a road notorious for accidents due to poor maintenance and heavy traffic. Demonstrators accused hospital staff of failing to provide prompt medical attention, claiming lives could have been saved.
Hundreds of students marched from the UNICROSS campus along Mary Slessor Avenue to the General Hospital and later to the Governor’s Office. The demonstrations quickly escalated, with signboards destroyed and hospital staff fleeing in fear. Police intervened, dispersing the crowd with teargas. Several students sustained injuries during the clashes.
The tragedy has reignited concerns about road safety and emergency healthcare in Nigeria. The Calabar–Itu Highway has long been a danger zone, with multiple fatal crashes reported in recent years. In 2019, students from another institution lost their lives in a similar accident, while in 2023, universities across the country mourned students killed in unsafe road conditions and poor emergency response.
Governor Bassey Otu described the incident as “heartbreaking,” pledging support for the families and promising improvements in road safety and healthcare delivery.
Authorities say calm has returned to Calabar, though police remain stationed around government buildings and hospitals. Hospital staff, who abandoned duty posts during the protests, have cautiously resumed work. UNICROSS management expressed deep grief, with the Vice Chancellor calling the loss “irreparable” and announcing counseling and support for affected families.
Student unions nationwide condemned the alleged negligence, demanding accountability and reforms in emergency healthcare. On social media, Nigerians criticized systemic failures in road safety and hospital preparedness, urging urgent government intervention. Civil society groups renewed calls for rehabilitation of the Calabar–Itu Highway and stronger emergency response systems.
The protests highlight the growing frustration among Nigerian youth over recurring tragedies linked to poor infrastructure and inadequate healthcare. Analysts say the incident could intensify calls for government action, with UNICROSS students now at the forefront of a broader national debate on safety and accountability.
