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The Ebonyi State Police Command on Thursday disclosed it had commenced an investigation into the alleged abduction and killing of a 400-level student of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Magnus Okeke, by some members of the host community.
The Ebonyi State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Joshua Ukandu, who confirmed the incident to PUNCH Metro on Thursday said, “His body has been recovered and taken to the mortuary while the command has launched an investigation with a view to arresting and prosecuting his killers.”
A student of the university, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that the student was involved in a minor motorcycle accident on his way to his hostel from school, penultimate week.
Our source said the student was seen engaged in a discussion with some youths and victims of the accident after which he was seen leaving with them to an unknown destination.
He said the university community became worried after the student could not return from that very day.
“He only dodged an oncoming motorcycle and the Ikwo guys got injured because he dodged being hit by the motorcycle. So, the guys were requesting treatment and he followed them, since then he has not been found,” the source said.
According to the source, the student’s decomposing body was later found near a river in the community.
He said, “The latest development is that the guy is dead. His decomposed body was found by a riverside and one of my coursemates who is a close friend of the deceased went to confirm if he was the one (going) by the clothes he wore the last time they saw him before the abduction. So, he said the missing guy is dead.”
When contacted by our correspondent, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr Elom Ubochi, confirmed the abduction and killing of Okeke.
In a statement he later released, he stated, “It is with great concern that we inform the university community of the abduction of Magnus Okeke, an extra year student of the Department of Accountancy on June 1, 2024.
“The incident occurred outside the university campus while on his way back to the private hostel where he resided at Ohankwu village, Ndufu-Alike community.”
The university spokesperson said the school management, through its Directorate of Security Affairs, had been working with the police and other security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the student.
He said preliminary reports from security agencies showed that the alleged perpetrators of the heinous crime were youths from Ohankwu village allegedly led by Ogobuchi Uhuo popularly known as OG Royal.
“The security agencies apprehended some of those alleged to be involved in the abduction of Magnus, and did everything possible to rescue him.”
He added, “Unfortunately, on Monday, June 17, 2024, the decomposing body of Magnus was painfully recovered under the bridge of Ako stream at Nwakpu village, along Ikwo/Abakaliki Road.
“The university management has urged anyone with useful information that could aid in the investigation to come forward and assist the authorities.
“We also wish to state categorically that there was no cult-related war on our campus in which Magnus was killed as insinuated in some quarters.
“Our campus is calm and peaceful, and the first semester examinations are currently going on without hitches.”
He noted that the university management would support the family of Okeke and security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of the cowardly act were brought to justice.
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