Gunmen shoot dead fresh graduate in Akwa Ibom

• The student, a computer science graduate identified as Prince, was killed by the gunmen suspected to be armed robbers in the early hours of Wednesday.

A fresh graduate of the Akwa Ibom Polytechnic, Ikot- Osurua, in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of the state, has been murdered by gunmen.

The student, a computer science graduate identified as Prince, was killed by the gunmen suspected to be armed robbers in the early hours of Wednesday.

He was said to be awaiting mobilisation for the compulsory National Youth Service Corps programme when he was killed by the hoodlums.

The deceased was reportedly shot in front of his girlfriend in his room at about 1 am on Wednesday along Abuja Street, in Ikot Osurua community.

The source who pleaded anonymity revealed that the gunmen gained entrance into the compound, moved straight to the room of the victim and shot him in the stomach leaving him in a pool of blood.

A source privy to the incident said the deceased’s girlfriend immediately raised the alarm which attracted the neighbours to come out, adding that he was rushed to the hospital for treatment where he was confirmed dead.

“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. We all laughed.

“The victim was very popular in the neighbourhood and a strong member of a choral group in his church. We are shocked by the way he died,” the source added.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Timfon John, confirmed the incident but added that there were robbery and cult operations in the area where the victim’s compound was robbed while the student was shot dead.

“Information at our disposal is that there were robbery and cult-related operations in the area. They invaded and robbed where they shot somebody who was later identified as a student but an investigation is ongoing,” John said.