The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, is calling for an investigation into the killing of Okonye Steve Nduka, a lecturer with the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo state along with his friend by suspected armed men from the 211 Regiment group, Air Force base in Neze, Imo state
ASUP in a statement by its Zone D Coordinator, Precious Nwakodo, is also asking for the relocation of the Air Force base currently located close to the institution, alleging the excesses of the soldiers have been a constant source of conflict between them and the Polytechnic community.
The statement which described the death of the lecturer as a loss to his family and the country said adequate compensation must be given to the members of his family to cushion the hardship brought as a result of the gruesome murder of their breadwinner.
ASUP said the reports of a possible case of mistaken identity as the reason for the shooting represents watery and unacceptable excuses as late Okonye and the other occupants of his vehicle were unarmed and never resisted arrest when the trigger happy men pointed guns at them.
The Union is therefore calling on the government to institute a full scale “no holds barred” investigation into the killing of the lecturer and his friend.
ASUP said the late Delta State-born lecturer was reportedly gunned down by trigger-happy men along with an ex-student of the same Polytechnic as they were on their way back from a church programme at about 7 pm on January 25, 2021, at Neze area of Owerri.
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Until the time of this report no reaction has been received from the the Nigeria Airforce headquarters on the matter.
