University Lecturer Shot By Gunmen, Gateman Killed

University of Calabar
University of Calabar

Head of Department of Public Administration, University of Calabar, Mr. Felix Akpan, an Associate Professor, was weekend shot by gunmen at a relaxation joint. The gateman was killed while the hoodlums try to escape.

Reports say Akpan and some officials of the University of Calabar were at a meeting with some representatives of a first generation bank on the update of the hydro-power project and the necessary things done so far by the university to secure a loan for the project from the bank, when the gunmen struck.

The gunmen gained entry to the place and went straight to the meeting point where one of them identified Akpan and the other shot him on the head but luckily, the bullet hit his hands, while attempt by the 70-year-old gateman to close the gate when he heard the gunshot attracted the wrath of one of the assailants, who immediately shot him dead.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. James Epoke, it was learnt had on assumption of office made radical appointments to sanitise the institution in a bid to compete favourably with other universities in the world.

Akpan was appointed the HOD of Public Administration on October 1, this year, and had since embarked on the sanitization exercise, which sources say did not go down well with some sections of the university especially, some students who were said to be in the habit of not paying school fees.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr John Umoh, while confirming the incident said he was aware of the shooting of the lecturer and the killing of the security man but no arrest had been made, adding that investigation was ongoing to fish out those responsible.