Following the murder of nine persons in Ukpomachi village, Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra on Monday morning, students of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) have deserted their hostels over fear of retaliation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the victims, including a minor, were killed by unknown assailants forcing the varsity students living off the Igbariam campus to flee their off-campus lodges.

A student, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that the gory sight of some of the deceased, who had their heads decapitated by the assailants, struck fear in students residing off-campus.

“As you can see now, many students have fled their hostels because nobody knows what may happen next.

“I am packing my things to leave my lodge too because this incident might result in a reprisal attack and I don’t want to be caught in the middle of it all.

“As for now, I cannot say this is the reason for the murder,” the student said.

Another student, Miss Grace Ifediora, who was seen with a travelling bag, said she was heading home and would return when normalcy fully returns to the area.

“My parents heard of the attack and asked that I come back home that is why I am leaving,” she said.

Reacting to the development, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Christian Chukwueloka urged students and parents not to entertain any fear as the incident never occurred within the precinct of the university.

“The incident happened far away from the university community. After the incident, the Vice-Chancellor had given out a lot of assurances that security is everywhere to protect students.

“So parents, students and concerned citizens entertaining any fear should not, because no student was killed and the incident happened far away from the community and therefore, nobody should panic.

“As far as the university community is concerned, there is no need for fear. Lecturers are there teaching and security had been beefed up just in case,” he said.

Meanwhile, Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident, saying the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Kuryas, has ordered a discreet investigation into the matter.

Ikenga said adequate security had been put in place to forestall further occurrences.

The spokesman also noted that the assailants, who invaded the village with machetes and other dangerous weapons in their numbers, attacked the residents, resulting in the death of nine persons, whose identities are yet to be ascertained.

According to him, the victims had visible injuries on their bodies while their buildings and livestock were also destroyed.

Ikenga, who restated the command’s resolve to get to the root of the incident, called on residents to remain calm and volunteer useful information that would help the Police in its investigation. (NAN)