Abia varsity speaks on killing of cyclist near campus

By Ijendu Iheaka

The Management of the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU) has condemned the gruesome murder of a commercial motorcyclist, Osinachi Asonye, by gunmen, near its main gate. The University said this while expressing worry that stories about insecurity in the surrounding towns of Uturu and Okigwe were demarketing the institution.

Mr Chijioke Nwogu, the spokesperson of ABSU said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Umuahia on Sunday.

Nwogu, however, clarified that the incident happened outside the university premises, adding that normal activities were still going on in the institution.

The PRO stated: “The management notes with grave concern the disturbing cases of security challenges reported in the media lately in Uturu and Okigwe areas bordering the university.

“The public should note that none of the reported incidents happened inside the university, as many false narratives tried to portray, but around the communities bordering the university.

“The security breaches are a reflection of the general insecurity in the country, which is not peculiar to the state or the university.

“Security operatives have begun a manhunt to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of these reprehensible acts,” he said.

Nwogu said that surveillance and patrol of the affected areas had been beefed up within and outside the university community.

According to him, the patrol and surveillance by Joint Security Forces were meant to ensure the safety of lives and property of members of the university community.

He urged the university students to go about their academic activities without fear.

“They should equally avoid travelling at night and refrain from activities that might lead to violent quarrels and fights.

“The safety of students remain the top priority of the Governor and Visitor to the University, Dr Alex Otti, and the Governing Council of ABSU,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, while narrating the incident to newsmen, the Chairman, Abia Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr Chidi Asonye, said that his deceased nephew was shot dead on Friday morning by armed robbers operating in a motorcycle.

Asonye described the deceased as the third son of his brother, John Asonye, who died less than a year ago.

He said that the deceased operated a commercial motorcycle in the university town before he was brutally killed.

(NAN)