September 20, (THEWILL) – At least one person is feared dead and three others injured after a robbery attack on students of Marist Comprehensive Academy, Uturu, Abia state.
The students were reportedly returning to the school from the Final Religious Profession of some Marist brothers in Orlu, Imo state, when the ugly incident happened.
The principal of the school, Rev (Bro) Joachim Ezetulugo, in a statement, said the incident occurred around 5:30 pm on Saturday.
The statement read, “Some students from Marist Comprehensive Academy, Uturu, Abia State were attacked by armed bandits around Ihube road in Okigwe LGA on their way from a Final Religious Profession of some Marist Brothers.
“In the course of the robbery attack, one student in the person of Edeh Donald was shot and he later died. Three other students were injured. They are receiving treatment and they are responding to the treatment. We pray God to guide and protect Nigeria citizens.”
When contacted, the police spokesperson in Imo state, Micheal Abattam, confirmed the incident, adding that it was a robbery, not a kidnap attempt as rumoured.
However, a statement by Abia State Commissioner of Information, John Okiyi-Kalu, asked the State Commissioner of Police to liaise with her counterpart in Imo state to swiftly arrest the hoodlums and bring them to justice.
The statement reads: “It was with sadness that we received the news of an attack on commuters by hoodlums operating along Ihube, Okigwe LGA of Imo State, which affected some students of Marist Comprehensive Academy, Uturu, who ran into them while returning from a religious programme yesterday in Imo State with the unfortunate loss of Master Ede Donald and injury to three other students of the school.
“Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Janet Agbede, to, as a matter of urgency, liaise with her counterpart in Imo State to swiftly arrest the hoodlums and bring them to justice.
“Abia State Government has also confirmed from the management of Marist Comprehensive Academy, Uturu, that the three students who sustained injuries from the attack have been treated and discharged while the parents of Master Ede Donald have been contacted.
“While we commiserate with parents of the deceased, students, staff and management of Marist Comprehensive Academy, Uturu, over this unfortunate incident in our neighboring state, we condemn in totality the attempt by agents of opposition political actors in our state whose stock in trade is spreading fake news to diminish the state.
“The circulating report sponsored by these unconscionable individuals that ten students of Abia State University, Uturu, were abducted yesterday is not only untrue but also wicked and a creation of the evil minds of those who are ready to do anything in pursuit of their selfish objectives against the overall interests of the State.
“The management of Abia State University, including the Vice Chancellor, Prof Maxwell Ogbulu, has confirmed that no student of the institution was abducted yesterday as against fake reports obviously sponsored by these elements.
“We shall however continue to update Abians on issues affecting the State and her people with sincerity of purpose.”
