By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The authorities of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, have said that a 400-level student of the Faculty of Arts of the university lost his life while frolicking and defying the institution’s warning.

The deceased, Victor Maduakor, was recently shot dead near one of the entrances of the institution at Ifite, Awka. He was alleged to have engaged in the collection of park fees and touting at the university bus parks.

It was gathered that the school authorities had prior to the incident warned students about indulging in such activities.

In a statement by the Head, Information and Public Relations of UNIZIK, Chika Ene, the university authorities expressed sadness over the incident, describing it as unfortunate and regrettable.

The statement said that investigation was already ongoing to fish out the perpetrators of the crime.

The statement partly reads: “The university management feels deeply sad on this unfortunate and regrettable incident and sends her condolences to the family. The management is deeply committed towards safeguarding the lives of its members of staff and students.”

Meanwhile, the institution has distanced itself from a press release issued by the President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) over the death of Maduakor, saying that it was shrouded in falsehood and disinformation.

UNIZIK Management said: “The attention of the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka has been drawn to a press release issued by the president of the students’ union government of the university, Mr. Samuel Jude Chimuanya, over the unfortunate death of Mr. Victor Maduakor, a purported 400 level student of the Faculty of Arts. The release in the main is full of falsehood and disinformation.

“Prior to this sad incident, the university management, in a meeting with the Students’ union officials on 10th February, 2020, more than one week before the incident, directed that students disengage from collecting park fees and touting at the university bus parks.

“Therefore, on the day of the shooting incident, the purported student was not on a university assignment, but on a frolic of his own.

“Notwithstanding that the operation in the course of which the purported student was shot was in defiance to university directives. Upon conveyance to the university medical centre, in a state of shock, he was promptly attended to, stabilised and a decision taken to refer him to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.

“He was conveyed to the university Teaching Hospital in Nnewi in a university ambulance accompanied by a nurse.

“On account of these calls and efforts made by the Vice-Chancellor and the Director of Medical Services, the purported student on arrival at the Teaching Hospital received immediate medical attention. The Dean of Students Affairs was there personally.”

The statement added that on the recommendation of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, the deceased was referred to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, where he eventually died on April 5, 2020.

According to the statement, the cost of the treatment has been taken care by the healthcare delivery system of the university.

Update news