Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
Some youths from Amassoma, the host community to the Niger Delta University (NDU) located at the Wilberforce Island axis of the community, have killed a final year student of the Social Science Education Department of the institution, identified as Francis Palowei, over N150 levy at a sand dump, a popular relaxation spot in the area.
A resident of the community, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the sand dump is a popular spot where students often go to relax, socialize and climb the height of it for fun.
He said some youths of the area, seeing the concentration of students at the sand dump, then took it upon themselves to levy any student that come to that spot to relax, especially those that want to climb to the top of the sand dump.
He said on Monday evening, the murdered 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 a notorious cultist, and the student was killed.
He said late Francis Palowei, who is a native of Obrigbene town in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was a promising young man with a bright future ahead of him, while his senseless murder has left his family, friends, and the entire University community in mourning.
It was also gathered that the deceased’s father is a high ranking police officer.
Public Relations Officer of the Niger Delta University, Mr Ndoni Igezi, who confirmed the incident on Wednesday, 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 climb to the top to catch fun.
Police spokesman in Bayelsa State, ASP Musa Muhammed, who confirmed the incident in Yenagoa, said the Commissioner of Police had already deployed additional security personnel to the area to restore calm and orderliness.
He also stated that police have launched manhunt to arrest the suspected killers.
