By Ushang Ewa
Magam Elvis, a final year law student of the University of Uyo was shot dead during the elections of Zonal coordinators of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) held last weekend in Otuoke, Bayelsa state.
Elvis, aged 23 hailed from Ekajuk in Ogoja local government area of northern Cross River State and is said to have been a delegate of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) to the elections where he was shot dead by suspected gangstas.
The NATION reports that there was crisis shortly after the accreditation of delegates on Saturday which escalated into a gangsta supremacy war for the soul of Zone B.
A fight ensued and students sustained gunshot wounds, while others were attacked with machetes, axes and several other weapons within the premises of the Federal University, Otuoke where the elections held.
Calm was restored but on Sunday, suspected gangstas stormed the hall where delegates were and shot into the crowd and killed Elvis.
Hours before his death, the late Elvis who goes by the handle El Magam on Facebook had posted at about 08:03 AM that he lives just for the moment.
He wrote: “In case you don’t know,I am that small man with a mighty God and a Lit future. My reactions are solely based on your action’s towards me. I live a life mixed with a little style and to the best of my understanding not to impress but living jes for the moment…..
#stillurboi #boy_friend_for_life #Daddy_yo #Oluwa_empowered #the_king #favourite_crush #queensking”
Unconfirmed reports suggests he was a member of the Neo Black Movement or Black Axe confraternity as it is popularly referred to.
His death triggered the deployment of personnel of the Police, Nigerian Army and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to the community to restore law and order.
The 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 Joint Campus Committee JCC Chairman, Mr. Perewari Benjamin who is a 400 level student of Niger Delta University (NDU). He was accused of leading seven suspected gangstas to rob people.
CP Amba said he deployed 11 patrol teams to provide security during the poll which eventually degenerated into violence.
Prior to the election, he said the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke, Prof. Accra Jaja had addressed the students and appealed to them to be law abiding.
“Later, a gunshot was heard from the crowd outside the hall. Magam Elvis, male, died as a result of bullet wounds. His body was deposited at the mortuary,” CP Amba said.
He said three suspects; Emmanuel Ebere, Obiakarije Innocent and Inobong Ben were arrested for Elvis’ murder.
He said that: “Information has it that two factions that came from UNIUYO were at war. Security is still in place. The situation is being monitored. Investigations are on.”
He alleged that the Mr. Benjamin was arrested with Asari Enabong, Suoguai Bina, Ibe Ogbonna, Igbanibo Tari, Ekperi Kenneth, Kemefie Ebimene and Chukwuma Lawrence.
He said besides Lawrence, a student of Imo State Polytechnic, others were 200 to 500 level students of NDU and alleged that the suspects robbed and injured Ayo Kehinde, Jamiu Salahudeen, and Nwanya Chinonso at about 11:00AM on Isaac Boro Expressway, Yenagoa.
The victims were conveying the suspects to the NANS election in Otuoke, when the students hijacked the vehicle at gunpoint and robbed them, CP Amba said and 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,” CP Amba added.
Meanwhile, an obsequies sighted by CrossRiverWatch shows that Elvis will be interred in his family compound in Egbung-Ekajuk in Ogoja local government area between December 6th and 7th, 2017.
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