The University of Port Harcourt (UniPort) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of a 300-level Computer Science student, Mr. Godwin Francis Akpakpan, who was reportedly killed in a tragic off-campus shooting incident involving security personnel.

In a statement signed by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Sammy Kpenu, the management confirmed that the incident occurred outside the university premises and offered condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased.

The circumstances surrounding Akpakpan’s death remain unclear, but the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has raised alarm over what it calls an “alleged murder” during a security operation.

According to NANS, Akpakpan was arrested during a stop-and-search operation on April 16, 2024, by individuals in police uniform. He was later shot and killed during what was described as an altercation between policemen and men dressed in military attire.

Chairman of NANS Rivers State Joint Campus Council, Comrade Jokiel Gideon Chinonso, decried the incident and noted that no security agency has accepted responsibility for the fatal shot.

“We demand an immediate and transparent investigation into this killing,” Chinonso said. “If the authorities fail to act, we will not hesitate to occupy the streets and shut down campuses across Rivers State.”

The students’ body insists that the safety of students must not be compromised, emphasizing that there will be no rest until justice is served.

Meanwhile, the university management said it is working closely with relevant security agencies to ascertain the facts behind the incident and has pledged to support all efforts to ensure accountability.

“We expect a thorough investigation and the necessary actions to follow, in line with justice and the rule of law,” the statement read.

The university urged students and members of the academic community to remain calm and allow the appropriate authorities to carry out their investigations. It reaffirmed its commitment to the safety, dignity, and well-being of all students and staff.