By joshua 
FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Authorities of the University of Benin (INIBEN) have appealed for calm following a clash between some angry students of the institution and soldiers from the nearby S &T Military Barracks, Benin on Thursday, February 2,
The students of the institution had an disagreement with a uniformed soldier for attempting to forcefully jump an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) line at Ugbowo Campus of UNIBEN.
A statement Friday in Benin by the vice chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami said that the situation has been brought under control as the management of the school was in touch with the top military officers at the barracks for an amicable resolution.
Against the backdrop of bedlam at ATM points due to the shortage of currency notes following the change of the colours of some of the denominations, Prof. Salami conceded that these are challenging times for Nigerians and enjoined all to remain calm while converted efforts are being made to avert a re- occurrence.
The vice chancellor however advised the students to learn to resort to dialogue in resolving issues that concern them rather than taking to protests, at the slightest provocation, as such actions cause more injury and damage to themselves and other fellow citizens.
She admonished: “Management also calls on the students to constantly engage dialogue in resolving issues that concern them rather than taking to protests, at any provocation, thereby causing more injury and damage to themselves and other citizens.”
Meanwhile, some Soldiers where alleged to have invaded the University Of Benin main gate at about 12am through the fence and destroyed several vehicles .
Also they invaded the security post and beat up the security officials. The lecturers and students waiting to use the Fidelity bank ATM were also beaten up. Those beaten sustained different degree of injury. The victims that were seriously injured are currently in University Of Benin health center.
When contacted on phone, the Army PRO of S & T, Captain Yemi Sokoya, made a tacit denial of the incident.
“I don’t know anything about that, soldiers did not attack any vehicles,” he said.