Varsity Student Abducted, Killed In Ebonyi

A 400-level student of the Accountancy Department of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ikwo in Ebonyi State, Mr. Magnus Okeke, has been abducted and killed by youths suspected to be members of the host community.

In a statement signed by the university public relations officer, 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 the university management, through its directorate of Security Affairs, has been working closely with the police and other security agencies to ensure his rescue from his captors.

Ubochi said preliminary reports from security agencies indicated that the perpetrators were criminal youth elements from Ohankwu village led by one Ogobuchi Uhuo, popularly known as OG Royal.

He said security agencies have apprehended some of those alleged to be involved in the abduction, adding that, unfortunately, on Monday, June 17, 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 institution, adding that the remains of the murdered student, who hails from Imo State, have been deposited in a mortuary pending completion of investigations.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the late Okeke, also a SIM card registration worker for one of the service providers at the Campus First Gate, was with his friend when he was accosted by two youths who demanded his phone in broad daylight.

The student union president of the University, Comrade Johnpaul Eze, explained that the friend of the deceased reported that he 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.