University student shot dead, robbery suspect burnt to death

Two tragic incidents occured in Uyo, the capital of Nigeria’s southern state, Akwa Ibom, as a final year student of Computer Science of the University of Uyo, Daniel Okon, was shot dead during a robbery attack, and an unnamed lad who allegedly participated in the robbery incident was rounded up and set ablaze to death by an irate mob.

The two incidents occured Thursday night at the Idak Okpo – Ikpa Road axis of Uyo. The area is a stone throw to the town campus of the university.

The deceased student lost his life after being shot during an altercation with robbers who were on house-to-house operation.

A neighbour, Miss Sifon Ekere, in a chat with Diaspora Digital Media, narrated:
“When the hoodlums shouted on him (the deceased student) to open his door, he refused. I think it was because of his girlfriend who came that Saturday night to spend the night that made him refused to open the door.

“The criminals broke into his apartment and shot him in the stomach. He struggled and fled with the gunshot and collapsed at the back of the compound (pointing at the location). The robbers took his phone and left.

“The landlord, Mr. Archibong Ebong’s apartment and other tenants were also robbed. The life of the student could have been saved, but for late arrival of the tricyclist, who took the victim first to nearby UNIUYO clinic, where medics rejected him as he eventually died of loss of blood at the referral Anua General Hospital, Nwaniba, Uyo.”

Barely minutes minutes after the incidents, inhabitants of the area, mostly male youths, launched a manhunt for the fleeing robbers.
They were said to have been accosted close to the UNIUYO main gate. While most of the gang managed to escape, the mob seized one, and set him ablaze instantly.

The Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Police has confirmed the incident.

Newly deployed Commissioner of Police in the State, Waheed Ayilara, declared a crackdown on criminal elements by conducting raids on hideouts to ensure peace in the state.

Ayilara emphasized the importance of collaboration with stakeholders, including journalists, to achieve these objectives.

He pinpointed parental negligence and drug abuse as significant contributors to criminal activities and vowed to create an unwelcoming environment for criminals and their associates within the state.

Ayilara sternly stated, “Criminals and their cohorts must leave the state as we are intensifying efforts to disrupt their operations. We will be relentless in pursuing them and restricting their movements.”

To reinforce these efforts, the Commissioner highlighted plans for interagency cooperation and a commitment to addressing any unprofessional conduct within the police force, emphasizing the importance of disciplined officers in maintaining community safety.

He urged residents to promote peace, reject violence, and refrain from spreading misinformation on social media that could jeopardize the state’s security.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook