Final year law student killed during NANS election in Bayelsa

A final year law student, Magam Elvis, was shot dead on Sunday in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, during an election organised by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

It was learnt that the deceased, a delegate from University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State, was allegedly killed by fellow students believed to be cultists.

Trouble reportedly started last Saturday after the poll, which was organised to elect NANS coordinators in Zone B. The crisis snowballed into a cult supremacy war, following the arrival and accreditation of delegates.

Students sustained gunshot wounds, while others were attacked with machetes, axes and other weapons, as members of rival cults engaged themselves in a free-for-all.

The premises of Federal University, Otuoke (FUO), where the election was held, was said to have been thrown into chaos.

The situation worsened on Sunday when suspected cultists shot into a crowd of electoral delegates in a lecture hall and killed Elvis.

Police, soldiers and operatives of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were deployed in the community to restore law and order.

Police Commissioner Mr. Asuquo Amba, who confirmed the incident, paraded students arrested in connection with the incident and others nabbed for robbery and cultism.

Among those arrested was Bayelsa State NANS President Mr. Perewari Benjamin, a 400-level student of Niger Delta University (NDU).

He was accused of leading seven suspected cultists to rob people.

On the murder of Elvis, the police boss said he deployed 11 patrol teams to provide security during the poll.

Prior to the election, he said the Vice Chancellor of FUO, Prof. Accra Jaja, addressed the students and appealed to them to be law-abiding.

“He said only accredited delegates would be allowed to vote.”

Amba went on:

“Later, gunshot was heard from the crowd outside the hall. Magam Elvis, male, died as a result of bullet wounds. His body was deposited at the mortuary.”

He said three suspects, Emmanuel Ebere, Obiakarije Innocent and Inbong Ben were arrested for Elvis’ murder.

The police commissioner said: “Information has it that two factions that came from UNIUYO were at war. Security is still in place. The situation is being monitored. Investigations are on.”

He alleged that the NANS president was arrested with Asari Enabong, Suoguai Bina, Ibe Ogbonna, Igbanibo Tari, Ekperi Kenneth, Kemefie Ebimene and Chukwuma Lawrence.

Amba said besides Lawrence, a student of Imo State Polytechnic, others were 200 to 500 level students of NDU.

He alleged that the suspects robbed and injured Ayo Kehinde, Jamiu Salahudeen and Nwanya Chnonso about 11am on Isaac Boro Expressway, Yenagoa.

The police boss alleged that the victims were conveying the suspects to the NANS election in Otuoke, when the students hijacked the vehicle at gunpoint and robbed them.

He added that the suspects robbed their victims of phones, cash and other valuables.

“They were arrested with two locally-made single-barrel pistols, two live ammunition and charms.”

The Nation

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