Operatives of Akwa Ibom State Police Command have swung into action in search of fleeing suspect, alleged to have set ablaze one Enwongo Akpan, a student of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU).
It was gathered that the victim, a 200-level student of the Department of Philosophy at AKSU, Obio Akpa campus in Oruk Anam Local Government Area, had bought N500 worth of petrol from a black market dealer, but a heated argument followed when the victim returned the adulterated fuel, after failing to ignite his generator.
“Dissatisfied with the quality of the product, the victim approached the roadside petrol dealer for explanation believing that the petrol was adulterated.
“The heated argument that followed, forced the angry seller to test the efficacy of his fuel on the victim and set him alight.
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“At that point, bystanders including students, who thought it was a mere melodrama, rushed in and rescued the victim from being totally consumed by the fire after sustaining a second degree burns,” Emmanuel Ekong, a University colleague told our correspondent.
Another eyewitness, Idongesit Akpan recalled, “In the course of the argument, the dealer collected the petrol, poured it on his victim and struck matches on him before he caught fire while others scampered for safety.”
It was learnt the victim was rescued by villagers and students, who alerted the Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof Nse Essien, who rushed him to Mercy Hospital at Abak LGA, where medics attended to him, before being moved to the referral University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).
“The incident attracted attention of community leaders such as the former Chairman of Oruk Anam LGA, Prince Ubong Idiong, who prevailed on the angry students to forestall any reprisal action,” he added.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Supol Odiko MacDon, confirmed the incident, saying “Yes, we are aware of the incident, but the suspect escaped from the scene. Police operatives are trailing the suspect now, and will soon be brought to book.”
