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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
A student of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike(AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, Maxwell Okeke, has been abducted and killed in the host community of the university.
Daily Sun gathered that the student was involved in a minor bicycle accident on his way to his hostel from school and was seen discussing with some youths and victims of the accident after which he was seen leaving with them to an unknown destination. One of the students of the school, who did not want his name in print, said the university community became worried after he was not seen again.
“He only dodged an oncoming bike and the Ikwo guys got injured because he dodged being hit by the bike. So the guys were requesting treatment and he followed them, since then he has not been found. The latest development is that the guy is dead. His decomposed body was found by a river side and one of my course mates, who is a close friend to the deceased, went to confirm that he is actually the one from the clothes he wore the last time they saw him before the abduction took place. So, he said the missing guy is actually dead”, the source said.
The university management, in a statement by the Public Relations Officer, Elom Iyke Ubochi, confirmed the abduction and killing of Okeke.
“It is with great concern that we inform the university community of the abduction of Magnus Okeke, an extra year student of the Department of Accountancy, on June 1, 2024. The incident occurred outside the university campus while on his way back to the private hostel where he resided, at Ohankwu village, Ndufu-Alike Community”, Elom said.
He noted that since the unfortunate incident happened, the university management, through its Directorate of Security Affairs, had been working closely with the police and other security agencies to ensure his safe rescue from his captors.
He noted that preliminary reports from security agencies showed that the alleged perpetrators of the heinous crime were criminal youth elements from the Ohankwu village, led by one Ogobuchi Uhuo, popularly known as OG Royal.
“The security agencies have apprehended some of those alleged to be involved in the abduction of Magnus, and did everything possible to rescue him alive. Unfortunately, on Monday, June 17, 2024, the decomposing body of Magnus was painfully recovered under the bridge of Ako stream, at the Nwakpu village, along Ikwo-Abakaliki road”, he said.
The university management urged anyone with useful information that could aid in the investigation to come forward and assist the authorities.
“The university management is committed to ensuring the security of lives and property of staff and students on campus, and we are taking all necessary measures to ensure that. We also wish to state, categorically, that there was no cult-related war in our campus, in which Magnus was killed as being insinuated in some quarters. Our campus is calm and peaceful, and the first semester examinations are currently going on without hitches”, Mr Ubochi said.
The institution appreciated the efforts of the security agencies, especially the Nigerian Police, Ebonyi and the Department of State Services, in trying to unravel the matter and assured that it will continue to support them in their investigations.
“The university management will support the family of Magnus and security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of this cowardly act are brought to justice. We will keep you updated on any new developments and ask that you all remain calm, vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. Finally, our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of Magnus, at this difficult time. The entire Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike community is mourning. It is, indeed, a huge loss to all of us”, Elom concluded.
Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the death of the student.
“His body has been recovered and taken to the mortuary, while the command has launched an investigation to unravel the death with a view to arresting and prosecuting his killers”, he said.
