400-level university student killed during cult clash in Abia

A 400-level History and International Relations student of Abia State University identified simply as Emma, aka Kesh, has been killed during a cult clash.

The incident which occurred within the university premises over the weekend has reportedly created tension among students and others.

An eyewitness stated that the final student shot to death within the campus by rival cult members.

A now-viral video showed three men charging towards Emma who was already dripping in blood and shot him on the head with a pistol.

The state Commissioner of Police, Kenechukwu Onwumelie, said the police are aware of the matter and “is investigating the incident.”

The Abia State Government confirmed the death on Monday, after the week’s State Executive Council meeting chaired by the state governor, Alex Otti.

Briefing journalists, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, said the state government has dispatched some security agencies to the institution to restore normalcy.

He further advised students to refrain from violence and face their studies.

He said, “It has come to the notice of the state government about skirmishes in Abia State University, Uturu, between student groups where a student lost his life.

“Some remedial actions have been taken to return normalcy (in the institution). The state government has dispatched some security agencies to Abia State University Uturu.”

Meanwhile, a Chief Magistrate court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has ordered a 43-year-old man, Chibike Nwakedi, not to communicate with his wife, Blessing, for two weeks until they return to court on the adjourned date.

The Chief Magistrate, Dolamu Babalogbon, told the defendant not to speak face to face or communicate with her on the phone or near her, except through a third party, her lawyer.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Sodiq Adeniyi, had during the arraignment told the court that the defendant on March 3, at about 20:00 hours in Ado-Ekiti, assaulted his wife, Blessing Nwakedi, by hitting her right leg against a wooden bed, leading to dislocation.

Inspector Adeniyi said the defendant conducted himself in a manner that was likely to cause the breach of peace.

The prosecutor informed the court that the offence committed is punishable under Sections 186, 181(D) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021.

However, the counsel to the defendant, Barrister Gbenga Ariyibi, urged the court to grant him bail, saying he would not jump bail and would provide credible surety.

The Chief Magistrate, Dolamu Babalogbon, granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till March 28 for hearing.