Police declare Akwa Ibom petrol vendor wanted for setting varsity student ablaze

The Police in Akwa Ibom State have declared a roadside petrol vendor in Obio Akpa, Oruk Anam Local government area of the state wanted for setting ablaze an undergraduate of the State University.

It was gathered that the victim, identified as Enwongo Akpan, a 200-level student in the Department of Philosophy at Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), bought petrol from the suspect, and suspecting it was adulterated as it failed to start his generator, had returned the petrol to the vendor.

It was learnt the victim had demanded a refund of his money, which ensued in an argument.

Sources said in the course of the argument, the dealer had emptied the petrol on the victim and struck a match on him.

It was learnt that the victim was later rescued by villagers and students, who alerted the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Nse Essien, who directed the immediate transfer of the victim to Mercy Hospital in Abak for immediate treatment.

The suspect, now at large was said to have fled the scene of the crime after setting the victim on fire.

Confirming the development, the spokespeson of the Police in the state, SP Odiko Macdon, said the suspect is being trailed and would be apprehended soon.