A Higher National Diploma (HND2) student of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, identified simply as Prince, has been shot dead by gunmen suspected to be cultists.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, around 1 a.m., along Abuja Street in Ikot Osurua, the community hosting the institution.

Prince, a final-year Computer Science student, was reportedly attacked in the presence of his girlfriend.

Eyewitnesses told The Nation that Prince had recently completed his final exams and was preparing to defend his project ahead of mobilization for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

Sources revealed that the gunmen stormed the compound, went directly to Prince’s room, and shot him in the abdomen, leaving him in a pool of blood.
A neighbour, who requested anonymity, stated that the victim’s girlfriend raised the alarm, prompting neighbours to rush him to the hospital for treatment.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but the incident has heightened fears of cult-related violence in the area. Authorities have yet to comment on the matter or confirm any arrests related to the crime.

“The gunmen didn’t steal anything from the house. They did not even rob anybody in the compound. They just shot him and escaped.

“I met the victim yesterday at about 4 pm with his girlfriend. Both of them wore Facemask. Jovially, I asked them why they were dressed in that manner. We all laughed.“The victim was very popular in the neighbourhood and a strong member of the choral group in his church. We are shocked by the way he died.”

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa DSP Timfon John said there were robbery and cult operations in the area where the victim’s compound was robbed while the students were shot dead.

“Information at our disposal is that there was robbery and Cult operations in the area. They invaded and robbed where they shot somebody who was later identified as a student. But the investigation is ongoing”, he said