A final-year student Francis Palowei, at Niger Delta University, was fatally stabbed at a popular student hangout spot in Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Despite the tragic incident, Niger Delta University’s academic activities continue as usual, with the police actively searching for the perpetrators The incident has caused significant outrage, especially as Palowei was scheduled to graduate shortly
The student identified as Francis Palowei of the Department of Social Science Education was allegedly killed at a sand dump, a popular relaxation spot in the area.
Palowei, originally from Obrigbene in the Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
It was gathered that on Monday evening, the deceased final-year student came to the spot with some of his friends and was heading to the top of the dump when some youths demanded N500 instead of the statutory N150, a situation that led to an argument before the community youths went and called other youths including notorious cultists who hacked the student to death.
A source close to the deceased described him as a promising young lad and the son of a high-ranking police officer and a native of Obrigbene Town in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, adding that dastardly act has left his family, friends, and the entire University community in mourning.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer in the Niger Delta University, Mr Ndoni Igezi, described it as unfortunate, stating that police are already on top of the situation to curtail any escalation.
He said the sand dump is located at the end of the community, though the owner of the dump is not charging any fees from it, some youths in the community normally collect N150 to allow people to climb to the top to have fun.
Spokesman of the Bayelsa State Police Command, PPRO, ASP Musa Muhammed, who also confirmed the incident, said the Commissioner of Police has already deployed additional security personnel to the area to restore calm and orderliness, adding that police have launched manhunts to arrest the suspected killers.
