Enwongo Akpan, a student of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), has been set ablaze allegedly by a roadside petrol hawker.
According to the Daily Sun, the student had bought petrol worth N500 naira for his generator and discovered that after pouring it into his generator, the engine refused to start.
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Convinced that the problem was due to bad fuel, the student went back to the petrol dealer with the fuel demanding a refund of his money.
The dealer however refused to refund the money thereby leading to a hot argument between them.
In the course of the argument, the dealer collected the petrol, poured it on the student, struck a match and set him ablaze and took to his heels, the medium quoting Idongesit Akpan, an eyewitness.
The witness said the victim was rescued by villagers and students who alerted the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Nse Essien, even as he was rushed to Mercy Hospital in Abak for immediate treatment.
“The incident attracted attention of community leaders such as former Chairman of Oruk Anam Mr Ubong Idiong who pleaded with the students for calm to forestall reprisal action by the students on the community.
“The victim was later transferred to another hospital in uyo for better treatment,” he said.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr Odiko McDon (SP) confirmed the incident including the fact that the suspect escaped from the scene of the crime before police arrived for arrest.
”Yes we are aware of the incident. But the suspect escaped from the scene. Police are trailing the suspect now and he will soon be brought to book” he said.
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