Bayelsa varsity student shot dead ‘by colleague’ during lecture

The Bayelsa state police command has arrested African Innocent, a 300-level Accounting undergraduate of the Niger Delta University (NDU), over the alleged killing of James Okunmakpeye, a fellow student of the institution, at a lecture hall.

Ingezi Idoni, the varsity’s public relations officer, said Okunmakpeye was shot in the head while he was standing near the door of the lecture hall.

According to Idoni, the deceased came late for the said class and therefore decided to stand by the door but was asked to come into the hall by the lecturer.

He added that Okunmakpeye eventually came into the hall but while attempting to explain why he came late, he was shot from behind and died on the spot.

The varsity’s spokesman added that the assailant had escaped through one of the broken perimeter fences after the incident.

The development had caused panic at the institution as Okunmakpeye’s classmates and the lecturer scampered for safety, leaving his lifeless body behind.

“There was a lecturer in the class during the incident. The deceased was shot by the door of the lecture room. He was late to class and was asked to come into the lecture hall. While he was offering reasons for his lateness, someone came from behind and shot him,” Idoni said.

“The culprit after carrying out the dastardly act ran towards the Ogobiri side of the institution, where the perimeter fencing has failed, and escaped.

“We are using this opportunity to call on the state government to assist the institution in completing the perimeter fencing so as to assist in the security of lives and property on campus.”

Asinim Butswat, the state police spokesman, said the command had already beefed up security at the institution while vowing to arrest more suspects connected to the incident.

“When our teams were alerted, we responded swiftly and one suspect, African Innocent, a 300-level Accounting undergraduate of the institution, is in custody,” he said.

“The victim, James Okunmakpeye, was shot in the head at close range and he was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. We have beefed up security on the campus and we are going to arrest more suspects involved in the murder.”