By Ushang Ewa
Nkasi Ford Moses, a graduate of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS, formerly Cross River University of Technology) who lost his life after been stabbed on June 3, 2021 will be buried today.
Ford, 27, a native of Igbo Ekureku in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River had returned to school for clearance in order to be mobilized for the compulsory National Youth Service Scheme when the unfortunate incident happened.
This is contrary to initial reports that he was a 300Level Visual Arts and Technology student of the Varsity.
He will be buried in his community since autopsy had been concluded on his remains.
On Tuesday, dozens of students trooped out in a procession to mourn him including his nephew, Bernard Azogor whose phone was snatched.
Donned in black, the students painted an image of Ford and processed from the gate of the Calabar campus of the varsity and terminated at an open field near his department, where they played football in his honor.
He is said to have been a passionate footballer and despite being reclusive, was always willing to help those in need.
“I dare say he has is (sic) the best footballer of our time,” Sylvanus Okwor, the Vice President of the department’s students association told CrossRiverWatch.
“He is, he was like the Jay Jay Okocha of our time and we have to honor him, this is how we honor him,” Mr. Sylvanus added, disclosing that many students will attend his funeral in Abi later this week.
Meanwhile, Bernard told CrossRiverWatch that contrary to initial reports, it was his phone and not that of a female student that was snatched.
Bernard, who joined the procession and the football game could not comport himself for an interview but narrated to CrossRiverWatch what had happened.
“I was walking along the Library complex that night when these guys attacked me and snatched my phone,” he said.
He explained that Ford was walking briskly to meet him and upon seeing that he (Bernard) was chasing the petty robbers, joined in the pursuit and grabbed one who was armed with a knife and got stabbed in the neck.
Bernard, who serves as the Chief Training Officer of Man O’ War in the instittution, said after an unnecessary delay from staff of the varsity security team, Ford was taken to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital where another delay to attend to him led to his death.
This angered students who rioted, damaging the varsity’s entrance gate, the external sun shade for security officials, the only patrol vehicle as well as the windshield of at least two Toyota 32 seater buses and a Toyota Hilux van among others.
The institution was then shut down for several days with students directed to pay NGN3,000 for the damages. The management later clarified that after tensions rose, directing that those undergoing the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme were exempted from the fine which prompted long queues at the Varsity’s Microfinance Bank.
Two of the three suspects were apprehended by the Varsity’s security team and are currently in police custody with little heard about further investigations and possible prosecution.
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