Some yet to be identified youths from Amassoma Community In Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, on July 15, 2024, reportedly killed a final year student of the department of political Science, Niger Delta University, over his refusal to pay a N150 levy at a popular Sand Dump.
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Resident of the community who spoke on condition of anonymity, told newsment hat the Sand Dump is a popular spot where students often go to relax, socialize and climb its height for fun.
According to the source, some youths in the area, notting the concentration of students at the top of the Sand Dump, has taken it upon themselves to exhort monies by placing levies on any student that came to the spot to relax, especially those who wanted to climb to the top of the Sand Dump for purposes of taking snap shots.
It was gathered that, on that faithful Monday evening, the murdered final-year student who was later identified as Francis Paleowei, 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, described it as unfortunate, stating that the police are already on top of the situation to curtail any escalation.
He said the Sand Dump is located at the northern end of the community, though the owner of the dump is not charging any fees from it, some youths in the community usually collects N150 to allow people climb to the top for fun.
A Police spokesman in Bayelsa State, ASP Musa Muhammed, who confirmed the incident in Yenagoa, said the Commissioner of Police has already deployed additional security personnel to the area to restore calm and orderliness.
He also stated that police have launched a manhunts to arrest the suspected killers
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ogboin North Rural Development Authority (RDA), High Chief Francis T Aguobiri, accompanied by the Acting Amananaowei of Amassoma Community, HRH Godwill Akedesuo, Hon. Asari Timipre Kerry and the Council of Chiefs, has met with the Students Union Government (SUG), National Union of Bayelsa State Students NUBSS), National Union of Izon-Ibe Students, National Union of Ekeremor Students and other Students bodies in a bid to calm down the situation and to restore peace in the community.
High Chief Aguobiri expressed his displeasure over the sad incident and gave assurance that the culprits will be brought to book as all hands are now on deck to fish them out.
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