A final year student of the Niger Delta University, NDU, identified as Francis Palowei, has been reportedly killed by some youths from Amassoma community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, on Monday, 14 July, 2024 over N150 levy at a sand dump, a popular relaxation spot in the area.
It was gathered from a resident of the community who spoke on the condition of anonymity, that the sand dump is a popular spot where students often go to relax, socialize and climb the height of it for fun.
He said some youths in the area, seeing the concentration of students at the sand dump, then began to levy any students that came to the spot to relax, especially those who wanted to climb to the top of the sand dump.
According to him, on the evening of Monday, 14 July, 2024, the murdered final-year student came to the spot with some of his friends and was heading to the top of the dump when some youths demanded N500 instead of the statutory N150, a situation that led to an argument before the community youths went and called other youths including a notorious cultist, which led to the death of the student.
He said Late Francis Palowei, who is a native of Obrigbene town in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was a promising young man with a bright future ahead of him while his senseless murder has left his family, friends, and the entire University community in mourning.
It was also gathered that the deceased’s father is a high-ranking police officer.
The Public Relations Officer at the Niger Delta University, Mr Ndoni Igezi, who confirmed the incident on Wednesday,17 July, 2024, described it as unfortunate, stating that police are already on top of the situation to curtail any escalation.
Igezi said the sand dump is located at the end of the community, though the owner of the dump is not charging any fees from it, some youths in the community collect N150 to allow people climb to the top for fun.
Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Musa Muhammed, also confirmed the sad incident in Yenagoa, saying that the state Commissioner of Police has already deployed additional security personnel to the area to restore calm and orderliness.
According to Muhammed, police have launched manhunts to arrest the suspected killers.
