Gunmen suspected to be cultists have shot dead a final year Higher National Diploma (HND) Computer Science student of the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic (AKWAPOLY) at Ikot Osurua in Ikot Ekpene local government area of the state.
LEADERSHIP gathered the deceased was awaiting his mobilisation for the National Youth Service (NYSC) scheme when the incident occurred in the early morning hours of Wednesday, at about 1:00 am.
The victim simply identified as Prince, was shot in front of his girlfriend in his room along Abuja Street within Ikot Osurua community.
An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity said the armed hoodlums invaded the compound, moved straight to the room where the victim was and shot him in the abdomen, leaving him in the pool of his blood.
She said the girlfriend raised the alarm before neighbours came out and rushed the victim to hospital for treatment, but he died upon arrival at the facility after losing so much blood.
“The gunmen didn’t steal anything from the house. They did not even rob anybody in the compound. They just shot him and escaped.
“I met the victim yesterday at about 4 pm with his girlfriend. Both of them wore facemasks. Jovially, I asked them why they were dressing in that manner, and we all laughed.
“The victim was very popular in the neighbourhood and a strong member of choral group in his Church. We are shocked the way he died,” she lamented.
Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Timfon John said there was robbery and cult operations in the area where the victim’s compound was attacked with the final year student shot and killed in the process.
“Information at our disposal is that there was robbery and cult operations in the area. They invaded and robbed where they shot somebody who was later identified as a student, investigation is ongoing,” she said.