Outrage as policeman kills final-year poly student over alleged N100 bribe in A’Ibom

Outrage has continued to trail the killing of one Imo Sampson Ekanem, a final-year Mass Communication student of Uyo City Polytechnic in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, allegedly by a policeman.

Tribune Online learnt that Ekanem that was shot dead by the policeman at his hometown, Nkek, in Ukanafun Local Government Area, at the weekend, while running an errand, using his mother’s motorcycle.

An eyewitness, Usong Simeon, who spoke with the Tribune Online said: “Ekanem was shot dead after an argument with one of the policemen attached to the special squad sent by the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Zubairu Muazu, to tackle cult activities in the local government.

“Because the activities of the cultists are always carried out with the use of motorcycles, the police have been conducting stop-and-search operations.

“So, they just stopped him and subjected him to a search and nothing was found on him. But we were surprised that the police demanded for N100 bribe.

“His refusal to part with the money infuriated one of the policemen, who cocked his gun and shot him at close range.”

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Chukwu Ikechukwu, said that the CP had ordered an investigation of the matter.

Although he said he was yet to get details from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Ukanafun, Ikechukwu denied that the victim was killed over his refusal to part with N100.

“What I first heard was that he (the deceased) was trying to collect rifle from the police and the officer shot him in self defence,” he said.

According to the PPRO, the policeman had been arrested and detained at the Ikot Ekpene Area Command and the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at Ikot Akpanabia Command headquarters, Uyo.

He promised that no stone would be left unturned in ensuring the culprit was made to pass through the due process of law and due punishment meted on him at the conclusion of investigation and prosecution.