Imo Ekanem, a student killed over N100 by Police

Imo Ekanem, a final year student Department of Mass Communication, Uyo City Polytechnic, Nduetong Oku, has allegedly been shot to death by a policeman after he refused to part with N100 bribe.

According to Punch, Ekanem was reportedly shot in his hometown Nkek, in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Usung Simeon, an eyewitness, told newsmen that Ekanem was shot by one of the policemen attached to the special squad the Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, sent to the area to confront recurrent cult activities.

The deceased had reportedly been stopped and searched while running an errand. When nothing incriminating was found on him, the policemen reportedly demanded N100 bribe.

When Ekanem refused, he was allegedly shot in point blank range by one of them. Simeon said:

He was shot dead after a heated argument with one of the policemen attached to the special squad sent by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zubairu Muazu, to fight recurrent cult activities in our LGA.

Because the activities of the cultists are always carried out with the use of motorbikes, the police have been conducting stop-and-search operations. So, they just stopped him and subjected him to a search, but nothing was found on him.

We were surprised that the police demanded for N100 bribe.

His refusal to part with the money infuriated one of the policemen, who cocked his gun and shot him at close range.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Chukwu Ikechukwu, denied the allegations.

He said the deceased was shot after he got into a skirmish with a policeman, trying to take away the policeman’s gun. He said:

The matter was not about N100 issue, though the police is still investigating the case.

After our meeting today (Monday), the CP has directed the Area Commander, Ikot Ekpene, to transfer the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Ikot Akpanabia, for thorough investigation.