HRH Dr Selky Kile Torughedi, the Eyewei the 5th of Azuzzuama has called for calm following a reported confrontation between Niger Delta Students at the Headquarter of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) in Benin, on Thursday 28th October 2021 which left at least one student injured.

HRH Dr Selky made this call after receiving the shocking news of the incident. Being a peace lover and a father to Nigerian Youths and Students, HRH Dr Selky reached out to the leadership of the Niger Delta Students and called for calm while authorities sort out the details of the incident.

HRH Dr Selky expressed worry over the use of live bullets on unarmed students by security forces, calling on the Police High Command to immediately wade into the matter stressing that students should not be treated like criminals.

HRH Dr Selky pleaded with the students to remain calm and not to take the law into their hands which may lead to further breakdown of law and order. He urged them to give room for peaceful dialogue, while authorities of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) take charge of the situation.

HRH Dr Selky drew the attention of the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the incident, pointing out that it has never been heard of that NNPC or its subsidiaries organize programs for youths and students without making proper arrangements for them. He urged the NNPC to direct the NPDC to look into the demands of the students with a view to solving the issues, stressing that Niger Delta Youths are peace loving and not armed robbers that live bullets will be used on.

HRH Dr Selky warned that letting issues like this get out of hand may give room to further breakdown of law and order, urging security forces to be more careful and professional while handling unarmed students.

It will be recalled that the NPDC had reportedly invited Niger Delta Students for a Two Day Basic Training in Benin. Trouble reportedly started when the students tried to find out about the stipends they were promised. They also wondered why the training bags they were given had power packs for laptop computers in them without the laptops. When dialogue between officials and the students on the issues failed, the students decided to take their complain to the NPDC Headquarters.

On getting to the office in a peaceful manner to present their case, after brief exchanges with men of the Nigeria Police Force, an unidentified police officer reportedly fired live bullets on the armless students which left a female student injured. As at the time of filing in the this report, the said students was already receiving treatment at the Airforce Hospital in Benin.

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Niger Delta Students Shot by Police in Benin: HRH Dr Selky Kile Torughedi calls for calm, urges NNPC to Wade into the issues raised by students against NPDC