The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has said it has begun a manhunt for a petrol dealer who set a university student, Enwongo Akpan, on fire over a disagreement in Obio Akpa, Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that Enwongo Akpan, a 200-level student of the Department of Philosophy, Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Obio Akpa campus, bought N500 petrol from the roadside petrol dealer.
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It was learnt that when Akpan poured the petrol into the fuel tank of his generator, it failed to supply electricity, as such, he went back to the roadside petrol dealer for an explanation, believing the fuel was adulterated.
The confrontation led to an argument that resulted in the exchange of words, where the petrol dealer poured the fuel on Akpan and set him ablaze.
Narrating the incidence, an eyewitness, Idongesit Akpan said the dealer collected the petrol, poured it on his victim, and lit matches, setting him ablaze while others scampered for safety.
Akpan said the victim was rescued by villagers and students who rushed him to Mercy Hospital in Abak for immediate treatment, and afterwards alerted the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Nse Essien about the incident.
“The incident attracted attention of community leaders such as former Chairman of OrukAnam, Prince Ubong Idiong who prevailed on students to forestall a reprisal attack . The victim was later transferred to another hospital in Uyo for better treatment,” he stated.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Mcdon, said the police was hunting for the suspect who escaped from the scene of the crime before the police arrived.
“I am aware of the incident. The suspect escaped from the scene but the police is trailing him and he will certainly be brought to book,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State University Students’ press in a statement urged students to be calm saying, “Enwongo has been transfered to UUTH, Uyo from Mercy Hospital, Abak for adequate medical attention.
“We appreciate the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nse Essien, The Dean of Students Affairs, Dr Monday Dickson and Hon. Sampson Idiong for their swift response as they have assured immediate security actions against the culprit.
“We call on the students community to keep calm as the Vice-Chancellor, Dean of Students Affairs and the Village Head have put things under control.
“We further plead to Akwa Ibom State Government that adequate measures of security be taken to keep the students safe in Obio Akpa community safe as the clashes between students and indigenes have become a reoccurring and uncontrollable event.”
