Amid wailings, parents and colleagues of a slain student of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic (AkwaPoly), Ikot Osurua, in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area watched helplessly as his remains were lowered into grave on Sunday in his village in Ika Local Government Area of the state.
The bereaved, a final-year National Diploma (ND2) student of the Department of Electrical Electronics, Comrade Udeme Saviour Solomon, was shot dead by unidentified robbers, who also made away with his smart phone.
The victim was shot dead in the head at about 8 p.m, on Saturday, June 8, 2024, when he tried dragging his cellphone with the robbers close to where he formerly lived at Ikot Uboh in Ikot Ekpene.
Udeme who was taken to a nearby clinic was said to have died on the way.
A source said the armed robbers opened fire on Saviour as he tried to raise an alarm. The source said the incident has induced fear among residents of the area.
In another development, students of the institution are aggrieved over incessant attacks by suspected cultists.
This followed incidents of killing of Solomon and shooting of a HND2 student of the same department, Victor Odu, was shot by the hoodlums.
A resident of Ikot Osurua, Ifiok Usen, said: “An unidentified group of boys have been operating mercilessly in the polytechnic community at the late hours of night,” advising students to be extremely vigilant and avoid moving about at night.
One student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The situation in Ikot Osurua is critical.”
He noted: “On Friday night, one Victor Odu, an outgoing HND2 student in the Department of Electrical Electronics, was shot near the former Christ Embassy Church, along Ekani Road. He underwent emergency surgery to remove six bullets from his face and is currently recovering.”
Venue of the funeral service in Ika
Warning fellow students to be wary, the president of the department, Wisdom Nnamso, said if the victims had taken personal security precautions, perhaps the sad incidents would have been avoided.
Comrade Udeme Solomon killed by suspected robbers
A Spokesperson of the State Police Command, ASP Timfon John, confirmed the incident on Monday, June 10.
“The perpetrators will be apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law. It is the determination of CP Waheed Ayilara to rid Akwa Ibom State of criminal elements. And this is not negotiable,” she said.
