Akwa Ibom: Gunmen kidnap three university students, shoot one

Hoodlums within the host communities of Obong University, in the Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have abducted three students of the university.
The gunmen, who stormed the institution around 12:48am on Friday, also reportedly robbed some students, shooting indiscriminately to resist a reprisal from security agents.
One of the abducted students was said to have been shot by the assailants.
The Assistant Registrar of the university, Mr. Edet Etim, said the school had been shut for some months because of the unrest in Obong Ntak.
He said the university’s workers and some members of the community had relocated to other neighbourhoods in the state including Abak and Etim Ekpo.
Etim, who said he was involved in an accident, added that he had been away from the school to receive treatment in a hospital.
He noted that the university was about to reopen fully for academic activities when the gang struck.
He said, “The school was shut in March and has not been fully operational upon resumption due to the trouble from the host communities.
“The hoodlums from Obong Ntak have been causing trouble within the university and outside the institution.
“I heard that the militants kidnapped some students from the school. The trouble in the community is enormous. All our employees, who resided within the school’s community and villages, have relocated to Abak, Etim Ekpo and other areas in the state. The school is not stable yet. I have also left the area because of the violence since March.”
A student of the institution, who did not want to be named, confirmed the abduction of three students. She said the school had been shut, adding that students protested against the inability of the university authorities to protect them.
She explained that the protesting students denied the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ekanem Esang, access to the school campus.
The student said, “The militants kidnapped three of our students. They robbed many of us while several others were injured. The school has been shut. We will not allow the VC to enter the campus since the school has refused to provide security for us.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Odiko Macdon, confirmed the incident, adding that three students were actually abducted but the police rescued one of them, who sustained a gunshot injury.
He said, “Three persons were abducted from the school but one was rescued having sustained a gunshot injury. The hoodlums robbed and went with two students. The police are closing in on them. I believe very soon, something will be done.”
Effort by our correspondent to get the comment of the VC proved abortive as calls put across to his telephone number rang out.
-Punch