Magam Elvis, a final year law student, was shot dead on Sunday in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, during an election organised by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
Elvis, a delegate from University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State, was allegedly killed by fellow students believed to be cultists. Trouble reportedly started last Saturday after the poll, which was organised to elect NANS coordinators in Zone B.
The crisis snowballed into a cult supremacy war, following the arrival and accreditation of delegates. Students sustained gunshot wounds, while others were attacked with machetes, axes and other weapons.
The situation worsened on Sunday when suspected cultists shot into a crowd of electoral delegates in a lecture hall and killed Elvis. Police Commissioner Mr. Asuquo Amba, who confirmed the incident, paraded students arrested in connection with the incident and others nabbed for robbery and cultism.
Among those arrested was Bayelsa State NANS President Mr. Perewari Benjamin, a 400-level student of Niger Delta University (NDU). He was accused of leading seven suspected cultists to rob people.
Amba said three suspects, Emmanuel Ebere, Obiakarije Innocent and Inbong Ben were arrested for Elvis’ murder. He alleged that the NANS president was arrested with Asari Enabong, Suoguai Bina, Ibe Ogbonna, Igbanibo Tari, Ekperi Kenneth, Kemefie Ebimene and Chukwuma Lawrence. .
He alleged that the suspects robbed and injured Ayo Kehinde, Jamiu Salahudeen and Nwanya Chnonso about 11am on Isaac Boro Expressway, Yenagoa. The police boss alleged that the victims were conveying the suspects to the NANS election in Otuoke, when the students hijacked the vehicle at gunpoint and robbed them.
He added that the suspects robbed their victims of phones, cash and other valuables. “They were arrested with two locally-made single-barrel pistols, two live ammunition and charms.”
