By Uzoma Ogoke
Soldiers on Sunday night allegedly shot and killed a first year student of Imo state University, Owerri, Divine Nwaneri.
Investigations have revealed that Nwaneri was shot dead by suspected soldiers who were keeping guard at the government house roundabout in Owerri.
The shooting to death of the Imo State University (IMSU) undergraduate is currently heightening the already charged security atmosphere in the state.
Speaking to newsmen over the incident, the President, Students Union Government of IMSU, Arinze Oguike, disclosed that the students were saddened by the way the military allegedly killed the undergraduate.
Nwaneri, a native of Umukam, Obollo, Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo state, is a 24-year old first year student of Soil Science and Biotechnology in the Faculty of Agriculture.
A source in the university told our correspondent that the deceased was being driven by her friend around 10pm when the soldiers opened fire on them and shot her and the male driver.
They were said to have been rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Owerri, where Nwaneri was confirmed dead. The male driver who sustained serious bullet injuries, however survived and currently receiving treatment.
The students’ government of IMSU said it has asked for justice for the slain undergraduate.
Oguike, the SUG president told newsmen that his administration had made a formal request to the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Peter Aka, demanding justice for the slain undergraduate.
He called for identification and arrest of the trigger happy military personnel, as well as the medical staff at Federal Medical Centre, Owerri who he accused of professional negligence.
The SUG president alleged that medical personnel at FMC focused on the male victim, because his father was present in the hospital, while they abandoned the girl to die.
Also contacted by our correspondent was the IMSU Public Relations Officer, Ralph Obi Njoku, who said that the university community was saddened by the loss of the undergraduate.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of Imo State Police command, SP Orlando Ikeokwu, said he had not been briefed officially on the incident.
The Public Relations Officer, 34 Field Artillery Brigade, Obinze, of the Nigerian Army, Capitan Babatunde Zubairu, also claimed that he was yet to be informed of the matter.
