Nigerian Students Flee Indian University After Violent Clash With Natives on Football Field

Over 60 Nigerians studying at GD Goenka University in Gurugram, Haryana, India, have fled their campus following a disagreement with their Indian colleagues during a football match on Friday.

According to the Time of India, the Nigerian students were forced to flee the university premises after the disagreement degenerated into a violent clash ‘that was perpetrated mostly by the Indian students’ on the pitch.

One of the affected Nigerian students, who simply identified himself as Khaleel, said trouble started when the university decided to have an even representation of both Indian and Nigerian students in the teams that were supposed to play each other.

“Our captain spoke with the sports officer and laid down his objections against a ‘mixed team’. The officer decided to call off the match,” Khaleel said.

“Despite that, a few Indian students entered the field and before anyone could realise a thing, someone hit our captain on the head with an iron rod.

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“Outsiders, who have come on bikes, also joined them and there was a clash. However, the matter was resolved that same day.”

Khaleel said the clash was reignited when another group of Indian students attacked their Nigerian counterparts in their hostels on Saturday.

“They hurled abuses and threatened us with dire consequences. We are 63 Nigerians here in total. We have left the campus for the time being and are staying in Delhi,” he said.

Indian students on the other hand claimed the violence was started by their Nigerian colleagues.

Both sides eventually lodged complaints against each other at a police station in Gurugram.

“There was no major incident. The two groups had an argument during a football match, which escalated into a fight. We have received complaints from both sides and have registered cross-FIRs. We are scanning CCTV footage and will take action accordingly,” said Tanda Upasanda, the police spokesperson.

Meanwhile, the management of the university has suspended 10 students for the part they played in the violence.

FIJ