Management of Abia State University, ABSU, Uturu, has condemned the gruesome murder of a commercial motorcyclist, Osinachi Asonye, by unidentified gunmen near its main gate.
Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr Chijioke Nwogu made the condemnation in a statement made available to newsmen in Umuahia on Sunday.
Nwogu, who however, clarified that the incident happened outside the university premises, said normal activities are still going on in the institution.
Narrating the incident to newsmen, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abia Council, Mr Chidi Asonye said his deceased nephew was shot dead on Friday morning by armed robbers operating on a motorcycle.
Asonye described the deceased as the third son of his brother, John Asonye, who died less than a year ago.
He said the deceased operated a commercial motorcycle in the university town before he was brutally killed.
Meanwhile, ABSU has expressed worry that stories about insecurity in the surrounding towns of Uturu and Okigwe are demarketing the university.
“The management notes with grave concern the disturbing cases of security challenges reported in the media lately in Uturu and Okigwe areas bordering the university.
“The public should note that none of the reported incidents happened inside the university, as many false narratives tried to portray, but around the communities bordering it.
“The security breaches are a reflection of the general insecurity in the country, which is not peculiar to the state or the university.
“Security operatives have begun a manhunt to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of these reprehensible acts,” he said.
Nwogu said surveillance and patrol of the affected areas had been beefed up within and outside the university community.
According to him, the patrol and surveillance by joint security forces are meant to ensure the safety of lives and property of members of the university community.
He urged students to go about their academic activities without fear.
