A violent windstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, has destroyed the Bassey Asuquo Administrative Block of the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
Classified records and other vital documents were destroyed by the windstorm.
A statement from the institution’s information unit explained that the storm caused “massive damage to the roof” of the building, which houses the registry and audit units.
While explaining that the situation was under control, the statement added that necessary measures are being taken to ensure safety, restore operations, and safeguard important documents.
It noted that security personnel and the works department were immediately deployed to provide emergency support, stating also that there was no cause for alarm.
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Meanwhile, a pressure group in the university, the Concerned University Community, comprising staff, students, and alumni, has accused the university’s management of negligence and a possible cover-up in the incident, which they say reveals “deep administrative lapses.”
The group has urged relevant authorities to launch an independent probe into the matter.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr. Bassey Obono, the group questioned why only the affected building sustained extensive damage, while numerous structures of similar height and design within the campus remained intact.
“Could this closure be linked to attempts to conceal certain irregularities?” the statement asked, adding that the development comes amid mounting scandals surrounding admissions, employment controversies, and allegations of illegal deductions from staff salaries and other issues.
