By Shadrach Okon
The Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom State, DSP Timfon John, has confirmed the killing of a final-year student of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osura, in the early hours of Wednesday, linking the incident to both robbery and cult activities in the area.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, “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.
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.
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.”
