Policeman allegedly kills final year student for refusing to give him N100 bribe

Imo Ekanem, a final year student of the Department of Mass Communication, Uyo City Polytechnic, Nduetong Oku, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was reportedly shot dead by a Policeman for allegedly refusing to give him N100 bribe while on errand with his mother’s motorcycle.
Ekanem who was searched, but when nothing incriminating was found on him by one of the policemen attached to the special squad the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zubairu Muazu, sent to the area to confront recurrent cult activities, the Police Officer asked for bribe. An eyewitness, Usung Simeon told Punch that when he refused to, he was shot dead.

Simeon said, “He was shot dead after a heated argument with one of the policemen. Because the activities of the cultists are always carried out with the use of motorbikes, the police have been conducting stop-and-search operations.
So, they just stopped him and subjected him to a search, but nothing was found on him. We were surprised that the police demanded for N100 bribe. His refusal to part with the money infuriated one of the policemen, who cocked his gun and shot him at close range.”

Confirming the incident, the State’s Police PRO,  DSP Chukwu Ikechukwu, denied that Ekanem was killed for refusing to give the policeman a N100 bribe. According to him, Ekanem reportedly tried to collect the rifle from the policeman, who shot and killed him in self-defence.

“The matter was not about N100 issue, though the police is still investigating the case.
After our meeting today (Monday), the CP has directed the Area Commander, Ikot Ekpene, to transfer the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Ikot Akpanabia, for thorough investigation,” he said. He said everything necessary would be done to ensure that justice is served.