Gunmen have shot dead a final-year student of the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osura, in the early hours of Wednesday in the Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
The victim, identified as Prince, a Computer Science student awaiting mobilisation for the compulsory National Youth Service Corps, was killed in front of his girlfriend in his room along Abuja Street, Ikot Osurua community.
A source within the polytechnic community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that the gunmen gained entry into the compound around 1 am and moved directly to the victim’s room, where they shot him in the stomach.
The source said the victim’s girlfriend immediately raised the alarm, drawing the attention of neighbours who rushed to the scene.
The victim was swiftly taken to a hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival.
The gunmen didn’t steal anything or rob anyone in the compound. They just shot him and escaped,” the source revealed.
The source further recalled seeing the victim just hours before the attack
The victim was swiftly taken to a hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival.
“The gunmen didn’t steal anything or rob anyone in the compound. They just shot him and escaped,” the source revealed.
The source further recalled seeing the victim just hours before the attack.
He added, “I met him yesterday around 4 pm with his girlfriend. They were both wearing facemasks, and we joked about their appearance. He was a popular figure in the neighbourhood and an active member of his church’s choral group. We are all in shock over his death.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Timfon John, confirmed the incident but stated that the attack might be linked to both robbery and cult activities in the area.
“Information we have indicates that there was a robbery and cult-related operation in the vicinity. The assailants invaded the area and shot the student during the robbery. An investigation is ongoing,” John said.
(PUNCH)