This is just as a graduate of Electrical Engineering , University of Ilorin , Miss Taofeeqah Oloriegbe, died on Monday – five days to her convocation .
We learnt that the Imo incident happened around 8 . 30 pm at Ama- wire Junction , when the corps member and his friend , identified simply as MacDonald , were returning to their residence.
Uwaoma , 23, was a 2016 graduate of History and International Studies from the Imo State University , Owerri , and was undertaking his one year National Youths Service Corps programme in Ogun State.
He hailed from Umudo -Anara , in the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of the state and was the second son of his parents .
He was said to have come to the state to see his mother, Mrs . Mary Uwaoma , when he was murdered .
His friend , MacDonald , told our correspondent on the telephone on Tuesday that he was with the deceased when the gunmen waylaid them and demanded their mobile phones .
MacDonald said , “ We were returning home from where we went to buy food . Suddenly , four boys bearing arms stopped and asked us to surrender our phones. I quickly gave them mine , but Ekene ( Uwaoma ) refused to surrender his phone .
“ They started struggling and I ran away . They shot him on the chest and ran away . They also shot into the air to scare people away . ”
MacDonald disclosed that the corps member was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri , where doctors confirmed him dead.
“ The gunmen didn ’ t go with his phone . It was a pity . This was the first time somebody was killed in my presence . I am heartbroken. His picture keeps appearing in my mind . I can ’ t bear it , ” he added .
A family member , who did not want his name in print , told our correspondent that Uwaoma ’ s death had thrown his family and village into mourning , adding that the deceased ’ s mother had yet to recover from the shock .
The state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, who confirmed the death to our correspondent , said the command had swung into action to apprehend the fleeing murderers .
In the UNILORIN incident , family and friends of Oloriegbe, a graduate of the institution , are mourning her death .
The lady , who finished with a Second Class ( Upper Division ) , was preparing for her convocation before her death on Monday . The ceremony is to be held on Saturday .
Although information regarding the cause of her death was still sketchy as of the time of filing this report , friends of the deceased said she died after a brief illness .
“ She only complained about having pains in her hand, but she later died, ” one of her friends , who spoke on condition of anonymity , said .
The Public Relations Officer of the institution , Mr . Kunle Akogun , confirmed the death of the student through a text message .
He said, “ The late Oloriegbe, a Second Class Upper graduate, was billed to graduate on Saturday at the 33 rd convocation of the UNILORIN . She died on Monday after suddenly taking ill while preparing for her upcoming graduation. May her gentle soul rest in peace. ”
The UNILORIN Students’ Union President , Mr . Adebisi Abimbola, described Oloriegbe’ s death as shocking and painful. He said the deceased was a gentle , friendly and hard working student.
He said, “ I became extremely sober when I heard of her death . We used to be in the same class. She was very jovial , friendly , liberal and decent .
“ I pray that God grant her family the fortitude to bear the loss .
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