The University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association has condemned the killing of its Abuja chapter secretary, Okiemute Mrere, describing it as wicked and cruel.

Mrere, who until his death was a deputy superintendent of Immigration and chief provost of the service in Imo state, was killed in Owerri on Saturday night, along the Owerri – Port Harcourt Road.

A statement on Tuesday by the National Publicity Secretary of the association, Mr Ono Akpe, said that Mrere’s death has shown how precarious the security situation in the country is. The association called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of his killers.

“We condemn in totality the gruesome murder of our Abuja secretary, Okiemute Meereen, in cold blood by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

“This is sad, extremely disturbing and unacceptable. It clearly exposes how fragile the security situation in our country has become,” the association said.

“Our association,” according to the statement, “is further pained that Mrere was murdered cheaply, despite the years of service he has put in ensuring a secured Nigerian nation for all of us.

“His death must not be swept under the carpet, like many similar heinous crimes, in the annals of our history, which till date remain shrouded in mystery. The security agencies must apprehend and bring to book Mrere’s assailants to serve as a deterrent to masterminds of insecurity in our country.

“While praying for his gentle soul to rest in peace, we use this medium to commiserate with his young family and pray to God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.”

The association also called on the federal government to strengthen the security architecture of the country, as there has been a total collapse of security across the country. This, according to the UniPort alumni, is reflected in the spate of killings, and kidnappings in the country.

“The country is presently faced with an unprecedented level of crime and criminality from Zamfara to Niger, to Osun to Ondo to Ebonyi State and now Imo State. No one is safe anymore. The security agencies must rise up to the increasing wave of crime in the country and this must be brought to a halt. Enough is Enough,” the statement concluded.

Mrere was said to be riding a Hilux van belonging to Nigerian Immigration Services, when he was intercepted by his assailants and shot at close range. No valuable was taken from the van and his service pistol was found on him when his body was discovered the next day. According to reports, the official Hilux van he was riding in, was riddled with bullets.