The management of Abia State University has strongly denounced the tragic killing of Mr. Osinachi Asonye, who was gunned down by unidentified assailants near the institution’s main campus in Uturu.
In a press statement released on Sunday in Umuahia, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr. Chijioke Nwogu, clarified that the attack did not occur within the university premises.
“The public should note that none of these reported incidents happened inside the university as many false narratives tried to portray, but around the bordering communities,” he stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria gathered that the deceased, Osinachi Asonye, was a nephew to the current chairman of the Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Chidi Asonye.
According to the NUJ chairman, the young man was fatally shot by suspected armed robbers on Friday morning, June 27, in Uturu, Okigwe town, close to the university.
He was the third son of the late Mr. John Asonye, who passed away less than a year ago. Osinachi had been working as a commercial motorcyclist in the university town before the tragic incident.
In response to the killing, Nwogu stated that a manhunt had been launched by security agencies to track down those responsible.
“Security operatives have begun a manhunt to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of these reprehensible acts,” he said.
The university spokesperson also confirmed that surveillance measures had been reinforced both within the campus and in surrounding areas.
He further advised students to continue their academic activities without panic while observing basic safety precautions.
“They should equally avoid travelling at night and refrain from activities that may lead to quarrels and fights that no one can predict its consequences.
“The safety of students remains the top priority of the Governor and visitor to the University, Dr Alex Otti, and the Governing Council of ABSU,” the statement added.
