The management of the University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT, Rivers State, has demanded a probe into the death of one of its students, Godwin Akpan, a 300-level Computer Science undergraduate, who was allegedly killed by a stray bullet fired by a yet-to-be-identified military man.
Akpan’s family accused the police of a cover-up in the circumstances behind the death of the student outside the university campus.
The family stated in an interview with our correspondent that the Rivers State Police Command were deliberately shielding the alleged killers of Akpan by not disclosing their identity.
The deceased’s brother, Francis Akpan, revealed that the deceased had come to watch a football match at his lounge on April 16 and later went home.
He explained that he was unable to reach his brother over the phone despite repeated tries.
He stated that on April 17, someone claiming to be a police officer answered the phone and informed him that his brother had been shot by a soldier.
Akpan went on to say that efforts to identify the killer, who claimed to be a military member, were futile since the police had continued to protect the suspect.
Responding to the family’s complaint, Grace Iringe-Koko, the state police public relations officer, informed our correspondent in an interview on Sunday that the student was allegedly killed by a stray bullet fired by a military officer rather than the police.
She described how some officers from the command halted a vehicle carrying the student and some passengers during a stop-and-search operation.
She stated that after examining the vehicle, the police team discovered a packet of Indian hemp in the rear, and efforts to identify the owner of the illegal substance proved futile.
The PPRO went on to say that the police squad decided to take the vehicle’s passengers to the station for additional interrogation, but on the way, they came across a group of people who were fighting with some military men.
Iringe-Koko stated that as the police officers were heading to the station, a gunshot fired by one of the military troops struck the vehicle and struck the student, who was transported to the hospital but later died.
She did not, however, reveal which military formations were involved in the incident, nor did she reveal the identities of the military men when requested by our correspondent.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued by its Head of Information, Publications, and Public Relations, Dr Sam Kpenu, UNIPORT expressed deep regret for the student’s death and emphasised that the university was committed to investigating the exact circumstances behind the occurrence.
Kpenu stated, “The university is actively engaging with relevant security authorities to fully understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
“We expect that a thorough investigation will be conducted and that appropriate actions will be taken in line with justice and the rule of law.”
He stated that the student community and staff members remain calm and allow security agencies to conduct their investigations without interference.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this very difficult time. The management reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and well-being of all students and staff, promising to take necessary steps to ensure such incidents do not recur,” the statement read.
