Akwa Ibom varsity student shot dead while struggling with cultists

A 200-level student of the Department of Political Science, Akwa Ibom State University, Emem Jimmy, was on Saturday shot dead by gunmen suspected to be members of a cult group while trying to rob him of his valuables.

It was gathered that Jimmy was shot while trying to resist the hoodlums from snatching his phones and other belongings. He reportedly died from injuries sustained from the gunshots by his assailants who trailed and attacked him around 8pm along Wilson Idiong street, off Ikot Okoro road, in Oruk Anam Local Government of the state.

According to a statement by the Head, Directorate of Information, Public Relations and Protocol of the institution, Mr. Akaninyene Ibanga, on Monday, the victim was rushed to a medical facility for treatment where he died, two days after admission.

The statement reads, “Late Emem was shot on Thursday, May 02, 2019 between the hours of 8.30 – 9pm at Wilson Idiong Street, off Ikot Okoro Road, Obioakpa, Oruk Anam Local Government Area in an attempt to resist unknown gunmen from snatching his phone and was rushed immediately to the hospital for treatment.

“The University Management took over the hospital bills just to save his life but on Saturday late Emem could not survive the struggle with death, so he finally passed on at about 12.30pm.

”Reacting to the incident, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Eno Ibanga, warned that the University community is no safe haven for criminals and frowned at the recent reports of cultism and other related vices in the University Campuses.

The VC in a statement condoled with the family members of the deceased and also appealed to all members of the University Community to remain calm and continue with their normal businesses/duties while speedy effort is being made by the relevant law enforcement agencies to fetch out the perpetrators of this heinous act.

Ibanga, however, assured members of the University community of their safety as the prevailing security challenges recently experienced in the campuses and its environs have been communicated to the Commissioner of Police and other law enforcement agencies in the state for action.