By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Cross River State Police Command have confirmed that a final year student of the University of Calabar who works part time as a Bolt driver was killed by suspected car thieves at Mary Slessor Roundabout, in Calabar, the state capital.
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday, 28 May, 2023, said investigation had already commenced into the matter.
The deceased, identified as Francis Atabi, 25, an Education and Political Science student, had given the two suspected car snatchers a ride around 8pm on Friday, 26 May, 2023, when the incident occurred.
The suspects were said to have tried to snatch the Toyota Corolla vehicle from the driver while on their way to their supposed destination but the resistance put up by the Atabi, angered the suspects who stabbed him multiple times and also tied a rope round his neck.
In the ensuing melee, the driver was said to have rammed his car into a security man when he lost control of the vehicle.
The security man was also reported to have died at the hospital where he was rushed to in Calabar.
Speaking on the sad incident, the state police spokesperson vowed to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book and face the full wrath of the law.
“We shall do everything possible to ensure the assailants are arrested. No stone will be left unturned in this matter. We are launching a manhunt and we shall get them and bring them to boo,” Ugbo stated.
“This is a further wake-up call to Cross Riverians, bolt drivers to be more vigilant, as criminals are devising various ways to carry out their nefarious activities, the killers will be made to face the full wrath of the law when apprehended,” she added.
