By Deborah Nnamdi
Gunmen suspected to be cultists have killed a Higher National Diploma, HND2, student of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, identified simply as Prince.
Prince was reportedly shot at about 1.am on Wednesday at his residence along Abuja Street in Ikot Osurua, the community hosting the institution.
Reports said Prince had recently completed his final exams and was preparing to defend his project ahead of mobilization for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program before his gruesome death.
Sources revealed that the gunmen stormed the compound, went directly to Prince’s room, and shot him in the abdomen, leaving him in a pool of blood in the presence of his girlfriend.
The victim’s girlfriend reportedly raised the alarm after the gunmen left, prompting neighbors to rush him to the hospital for treatment.
“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 Facemask. Jovially, I asked them why they were dressed in that manner. We all laughed.
“The victim was very popular in the neighborhood and a strong member of the choral group in his church. We are shocked by the way he died”, a neighbor said.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa DSP Timfon John said: “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. But the investigation is ongoing”, he said
