Dr. Fabian Osita, a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, was shot dead by some unidentified members of a car-snatching syndicate.
The incident, it was gathered, occurred on Monday night near the high-tension area in Aroma in Awka, the state capital, as the deceased was driving home from work.
One of the sources near the scene of the incident said the assailants double-crossed the victim in a bid to snatch his car, but he was immediately shot in the head as he attempted to put up a resistance.
The source said, “Yes, he was shot dead along that high tension yesterday (Monday) evening. Some people are saying that he was a lecturer at UNIZIK and from Nteje.
“The armed men double-crossed his Toyota Corolla car as he was driving and made an attempt to snatch it, but he put up a resistance, and unfortunately, he was shot in the head, and he died instantly.
“The hoodlums abandoned his corpse and drove away in his vehicle. He was already dead before help could come to him. The insecurity around the area—a whole capital territory—is becoming fearsome, and people should ensure their safety this Yuletide. If they come for your car, surrender the car; our lives are important.
Our correspondent, who visited UNIZIK on Tuesday, gathered that the deceased was a lecturer at the Business Department of the institution before his death on Monday.
The Chief Security Officer of the institution, Ken Chukwurah, confirmed that he was shot dead at about 7:30 p.m. on Monday in the high-tension area in Aroma.
Chukwurah said members of the school’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities were mobilising to go to the Government House in Awka to express their grievances against the growing insecurity in Awka.
“Yes, he was shot dead at about 7:30 p.m. on Monday at the high-tension area in Aroma. It was a case of car snatching; the hoodlums attempted to snatch his Toyota Corolla, and he put up a resistance, and they shot him.
“He was an academic staff at the Business Department of the institution. The incident has thrown the university community into a mourning mood. It is important to note that he was killed outside the university. The matter has been reported at the DSS.”
When contacted, the Anambra State police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, also confirmed the incident, adding that an investigation has begun to unravel the killers.
Ikenga said the police condoled the family members, especially the management of UNIZIK, and called on eyewitnesses/members of the public for information to aid the investigation.
He said, “Anambra State Police Command has begun the investigation over the murder of Mr. Fabian Osita. Information revealed that Osita, a staff member of the University of Nnamdi Azikiwe, was shot by yet unidentified gunmen yesterday, 16/12/2024, at 10:10 p.m. at Aroma Junction.
“The murderers also made away with his car, a Corolla 2006 model, Ash colour with an Enugu Plate number. To this end, the command, while condoling his family and friends, especially the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, calls on anyone with any useful information that can aid the investigation to please come forward in this regard.
“The command also urged members of the public who might have seen the vehicle or any such to report to the closest police station or call the command control room number on 07039194332 or PPRO on 08039334002. Further development shall be communicated, please.”
