A final-year student at the Bayelsa State-owned Niger Delta University, NDU, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, was reportedly slain by some youths over N150 levy.
Francis Palowei, a student in the Department of Social Science Education, was killed at a local sand dump, which is a well-liked place to unwind.
According to reports, certain youths in the community have been flocking to the relaxation site to tax students who go there to unwind and socialise because of the significant number of students that visit the relaxation centre.
It was reported that on Monday evening, the deceased final-year student arrived at the location with some of his friends and was on his way to the top of the dump when some youths demanded N500 instead of the statutory N150, causing an argument before the community youths went and called other youths, including notorious cultists, who hacked the student to death.
According to a person close to the deceased, he was a bright young man who was born in Obrigbene Town, in the Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and the son of a senior police officer.
His family, friends, and the entire University community are in mourning over this senseless act.
Mr. Ndoni Igezi, the Niger Delta University’s public relations officer, confirmed the incident and said that police are now monitoring it to prevent any escalation. He called it regrettable.
According to him, the sand dump lies at the end of the neighbourhood. While the dump’s owner does not charge for access, some young people in the neighbourhood typically donate N150 to enable individuals to climb to the top for fun.
In order to restore peace and order, the Commissioner of Police has already sent more security officers to the scene, according to PPRO, ASP Musa Muhammad, the spokesperson for the Bayelsa State Police Command, who also confirmed the incident.
He also mentioned that police have started manhunts to apprehend the suspected killers.
Bottom Line
The involvement of cultists in this incident is a worrying sign of the pervasive influence of cult groups in the region. This highlights the need for concerted efforts by authorities to curb cult activities and provide a safer environment for residents and students alike.
