The Anambra State Police Command has begun a manhunt for the killers of a lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr Fabian Osita.
The incident, TheNigerian Metro gathered on Tuesday, occurred on Monday night near the high-tension area in Aroma in Awka, the state capital, as the deceased was driving home from work.
A source who was near the scene of the incident told our correspondent on the condition of anonymity that the assailants double-crossed the victim in a bid to snatch his car, but was immediately shot in the head when he attempted to put up a resistance.
The source said, “Yes, he was shot dead along that high tension yesterday (Monday) evening. Some people say he was a lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University and was from Nteje.
“The armed men double-crossed his Toyota Corolla car as he was driving and attempted to snatch it, but he put up a resistance and unfortunately, he was shot in the head and he died instantly.
“The gunmen abandoned his corpse and drove away in his vehicle. He was already dead before help could come to him. The insecurity around the area, a whole capital territory, is becoming fearsome and people should ensure their safety this Yuletide. If they come for your car, surrender the car, our lives are important.”
Our correspondent who visited the UNIZIK campus, on Tuesday, gathered that the deceased was a lecturer at the Department of Business Department of the institution before his death on Monday.
He saw students and lecturers discussing the unfortunate incident in groups, but unwilling to speak to TheNigerian Metro.
However, the Chief Security Officer of the institution, Chief Ken Chukwurah, confirmed that Osita was shot dead at about 7:30 pm on Monday in the High Tension area in Aroma.
Chukwurah said members of the school’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, were mobilising to march to the Government House in Awka, to express their grievances against the growing insecurity in Awka.
“Yes, he was shot dead at about 7:30 pm on Monday at the High Tension area in Aroma. It was a case of car snatching, the hoodlums attempted to snatch his Toyota Corolla and he put up a resistance and they shot him.
“He was an academic staff member at the Department of Business Department of the institution. The incident has thrown the university community into mourning. It is important to note that he was killed outside the university. The matter has been reported at the Department of State Security.”
When contacted, the Anambra State police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, also confirmed the incident, adding that an investigation had begun to unravel the killers.
Ikenga said the police condoled with the family members especially the management of UNIZIK and called on eyewitnesses/members of the public for information to aid the investigation.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command has begun the investigation in the murder of Dr Fabian Osita. Information revealed that Osita, a staff member of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University was shot by yet-to-be-identified gunmen yesterday, December 16, 2024, at 10:10 pm at the Aroma Junction.
“The murderers also made away with his car, a Corolla 2006 model, ash colour with an Enugu number plate. To this end, the command, while condoling with his family and friends, especially the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, calls on anyone with any useful information that can aid the investigation to please come forward in this regard.
“The command also urges members of the public who might have seen the vehicle or any such to report to the closest police station or call the command control room number on 07039194332 or the PPRO on 08039334002. Further development shall be communicated, please.”
