Robbers Kill Akwa Poly Student, One Escapes with Bullet Wounds

SPOTLIGHTS

• One student dead, another hospitalised after armed robbery
• Robbery occurred in Ikot Uboh, targeting students for phones and money
• Residents express fear and concern over recurring robberies in the area
• Police pledge swift action to apprehend the criminals

From Isaac Job, Uyo

There was fear and tension in Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, as armed robbers killed one Udeme Saviour Solomon around the Ikot community at the weekend. His friend escaped with a bullet wound to the head.

Daily Sun gathered that the armed robbers, who were ransacking houses in the area from 8 pm, intercepted the two students in Ikot Uboh. They accosted them and snatched their phones.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said, “The deceased resisted the robbers by struggling to stop them from snatching his phone but was overpowered and shot in the forehead by the robbers while his friend was also shot in the head.”

Solomon, a final-year National Diploma student in the Electrical/Electronics Engineering Department of the institution, was left in a pool of blood while the robbers fled with the phones.

Meanwhile, the remains of the deceased were buried on Sunday in his community in the Ika Local Government Area of the state. His friend has been admitted to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

“Armed robbers have been terrorising Ikot Uboh villages for some time now,” a resident said.

“We don’t sleep here again, and they target students to rob them of their phones and money sent to them by parents.”

Reacting to the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Akwa Ibom, ASP Timfon John, said the police command was aware of the unfortunate incident and had already swung into action.

“The perpetrators will be apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law,” she said.

“It is the determination of CP Waheed Ayilara to rid Akwa Ibom State of criminal elements. And this is not negotiable.”