UNIPORT killings: Lloyd’s father accuses Aluu of cover-up

UNIPORT killings: Lloyd’s father accuses Aluu of cover-up

Mr. and Mrs. Toku in Port Harcourt ... on Monday
| credits: Chukwudi Akasike

Father of one of the students murdered by a mob at Aluu, River State, Mr. Mike Toku, has described as a deliberate cover-up the continued denial by members of the community that they had no hand in the killing of his son, Lloyd.

Toku insisted that his son and three other students of the University of Port Harcourt were tortured and killed by members of Omuokiri Aluu community in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

Speaking with our correspondent on Sunday, Toku said it was unfortunate that the community that murdered his son could deny being involved in the act.

He explained that the incident took place in the presence of members of the public and wondered why any Aluu indigene would want to deny the obvious.

He said, “To say they are not involved in the killing of my son is a big lie; it is a white lie and a cover-up for their wicked and unacceptable act. The incident did not take place in one of the community’s bush.

“They killed my son in a place that looked like a village square belonging to the community. While the killers were hitting my son and three other students, others stood and watched the incident.”

Toku, who insisted that his son was innocent of any crime he was accused of before being murdered, urged the police to arrest the killers of his son and those watching while the crime against the students was being committed.

Explaining that the police have yet to communicate with him on the matter, Toku said it was necessary that security agents did the right for justice to prevail.

Also, the late Tekena Erikena’s sister, Ann,  said though she could not dictate to government what should be done; justice was all members of the family were demanding.

Describing her brother as a humble person, who had respect for people, Ann wondered why members of the community would brand him a thief and kill him.

She said, “I cannot dictate to government on what they should do, but what we want is justice. My brother was never a thief.”

Meanwhile, President, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Nasir Fagge,  on Sunday described the killings of students in some parts of the country as unfortunate and condemnable.

Fagge told the News Agency of Nigeria in a telephone interview in Lagos that the union was worried and sad by the development.

He said the union had directed affected institutions to investigate the incidents and that it was waiting for the outcome before taking appropriate steps.

He said, “We have asked our members in the affected institutions to give us information but whatever it is, it is a condemnable act.

“This is part of what the union has been canvassing– that Federal Government should fund universities adequately so that they can be in a position to provide accommodation on campus for students.

“With adequate funding, we can make our environment more secure.”

Fagge noted that the requirement for every institution was that, at least, 35 per cent of its  students should be accommodated on campus.

He added that ASUU was pushing for at least 50 per cent of students to be accommodated on campus.