A student of University of Calabar (name witheld) was on Friday 12th August shot down by a Police officer attached to First Bank, located at Eta-Agbor, close to Unical Main Gate.
An eye witness who spoke with Campus Light said the student was walking freely along the pedestrian walk way about 20 meters away from the Bank when he was shot in his two legs.
“We were here using the ATM Machine in the bank. Suddenly, we heard a gunshot which was released by one of the police officers guarding the bullion van belonging to the bank. There was no crisis. Everywhere was peaceful.
“Soon as we heard the gunshot, we saw a student who fell down flat on the ground and started screaming, then we knew he was caught by the stray bullet released by the anonymous police officer”
Calabar Reporters gathered that when the gunshot was heard, passersby started running into nearby shade for their lives.
Another eye witness narrated that as soon as the gunshot was released, the police officers who were in the van drove away quickly from the scene with the bullion van.
“When sympathisers brought the student who was shot down, the bank officials locked their gates. One of them initially claimed ignorance of the incident claiming they don’t know who the officials were. He boldly said the bank has no business with the officials that they were simply performing their duty. He told us to go and hold the police and not the bank responsible.
“When the students became violent and threatened to cause havoc, the bank opened the gate and quickly arranged for the boy to be taken away for treatment.
The presence of the SUG President, Comr. Daniel Joseph with a group of student leaders caused tension as the bank knew they could no more resist the students.
Daniel Joseph while addressing the bank manager vehemently condemned the reckless act of the police and threatened to take up the matter.
The bank manager who refused to disclose her identity promised the students that the victim would be safely taken care of. She informed the students that the victim had been taken to Calabar General Hospital for medical attention.
The Deputy Chief Security of UNICAL, Mr. Jarlath Abang, Retired ASP in the police equally condemned the shooting of an innocent student by some careless cops. He reassured the students that the management was going to critically follow up the matter to make sure the careless officer would be apprehended and punished.
“I will call the Vice Chancellor and inform him about the development. I will equally make sure the matter is well addressed. I will go to the police headquarters and make sure the officer that shot him is punished”, he concluded.