Roadside petrol dealer allegedly set fire to varsity student in Akwa Ibom, #Roadside #petrol #dealer #allegedly #sets #varsity #student #ablaze #Akwa #Ibom Welcome to OLASMEDIA TV NEWSThis is what we have for you today:
Akwa Ibom State Police Command has launched a manhunt for a gasoline dealer who allegedly set fire to a college student, Enwongo Akpan, over a disagreement in Obio Akpa, Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state.
The trouble started on Saturday, July 9, when the 200-level student of the Faculty of Philosophy, Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Obio Akpa campus, accused the roadside gasoline dealer of selling counterfeit products.
According to the Daily Trust, Akpan bought N500 fuel from the dealer, poured it into the tank of his generator, but it supplied no electricity.
He went back to the roadside gas dealer for a statement, assuming the fuel had been adulterated.
The confrontation sparked an argument that resulted in an altercation, and the gas dealer poured the fuel over Akpan and set him on fire.
An eyewitness, Idongesit Akpan, said the dealer collected the gasoline, poured it on his victim and lit matches, set him on fire while others ran for safety.
Akpan said the victim was rescued by villagers and students who rushed him to Mercy Hospital in Abak for immediate treatment, then informed the university’s vice-chancellor, Prof. Nse Essien, of the incident.
“The incident caught the attention of community leaders such as the former chairman of OrukAnam, Prince Ubong Idiong, who persuaded students to avoid a retaliatory attack. The victim was later transferred to another hospital in Uyo for better treatment,” he said.
State police spokesman SP Odiko Mcdon, who confirmed the incident, said police were on the hunt for the suspect who had escaped from the crime scene before police officers arrived.
“I am aware of the incident. The suspect has fled the crime scene, but the police are after him and he will certainly be brought before him,” said the prosecutor.
Meanwhile, the press of Akwa Ibom State University Students issued a statement urging students to remain calm.
“Enwongo has been transferred to UUTH, Uyo of Mercy Hospital, Abak for adequate medical care,” the statement read.
“We appreciate the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nse Essien, the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Monday Dickson and Hon. Sampson Idiong for their prompt response as they ensured immediate security actions against the perpetrator.
“We call on the student community to remain calm while the Vice-Chancellor, Dean of Student Affairs and the village chief are in control.
“We further plead with the state government of Akwa Ibom that appropriate security measures be taken to keep the students in the Obio Akpa community safe as the clashes between students and natives have become a recurring and uncontrollable event.”
The National Association of Nigerian Students has also condemned the attack and demanded the immediate arrest of the perpetrator.
A statement signed by Comr. Ekanem Utibe Jr, Public Relations Officer & Special Duties, NANS Zone B, South South, denounces the alleged mistreatment of students in the community.
“A sad incident has been brought to the attention of NANS Zone B Public Relations Officer, Comr Ekanem Utibe, regarding the attempted murder of Students of Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa campus. And illegal patrol vendor at Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa Campus, who attempted to murder and assault students in the area,” the statement read.
“This inadmissible and inhumane attitude has been consistently acted upon by the community, disrupting the peace of Nigerian students in the said campus.
“Remember, there was a case of a masquerade attacking a female student in that same Obio Akpa community, this is so barbaric and not accepted by the Nigerian student leaders and the student community in general
“That’s why the PRO, Comr. Ekanem Utibe, demands the immediate arrest and hands the perpetrators over to the Nigerian police in the next 24 hours so that justice is done or else the community will face the wrath of the Nigerian students. Because an injury for one is an injury for everyone.”
