Obinna Uchendu
Abakaliki
A four hundred level student of Accountancy Department of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo in Ebonyi State, Mr. Magnus Okeke has been abducted and murdered by some youths suspected to be members of the host community.
In a statement signed by the University Public Relations Officer PRO, Mr. Iyke Ubochi said that the student went missing on June 1st at the school campus gate while on his way back to the private hostel where he resides at Ohankwu village Ndufu-Alike community.
He said that the University management through it’s directorate of Security Affairs has been working closely with the police and other security agencies to ensure his safe rescue from his captors.
Mr. Ubochi noted that preliminary report from security agencies alleged that the perpetrators were criminal youth elements from Ohankwu village led by one Ogobuchi Uhuo popularly known as OG Royal.
He maintained that security agencies have apprehended some of those alleged to be involved in the abduction adding that unfortunately, on Monday 17th June 2024, the decomposing body was recovered under the bridge of Ako stream at Nwakpu village along Ikwo-Abakaliki road.
The University PRO said the murder was not a cult related issue as none of those arrested were students of the University adding that the remains of the murdered student who hails from Imo State have been deposited in a mortuary pending completion of investigations.
It was gathered that Late Mr. Magnus Okeke who was also a SIM Card registration worker for one of the Service Providers at the Campus First Gate was with his friend on June 1st when he was accosted by two youths who demanded for his phone in broad day light.
The Student Union President of the University, Comrade Johnpaul Eze explained that the friend of the deceased reported that Late Magnus did not struggle with the abductors as he was taken away on a motorcycle to an unknown destination.
The President General of Ohankwu community, Ikwo where the incident took place, Mr. Chibuike Igwe said the community was collaborating with security agencies to unravel the reasons behind the murder and arrest the prime suspect whose name was given by the friend of the murdered student.
It was further gathered that about eight suspects are in the custody of security agencies in connection with the murder.
Although the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Joshua Ukandu did not confirm the arrest when contacted. Ends.
