A pro-democracy group, Take-It-Back Movement, is demanding justice for Godwin Akpakpan, a 300-level student of the University of Port Harcourt, allegedly killed by operatives of the Anti-Cult Unit of the Rivers State Police Command.
“This case is another grim reminder of the unchecked power and impunity within our law enforcement agencies. We demand an independent investigation and full accountability, ” the group remarked.
Godwin was a student in the Faculty of Education’s Department of Curriculum Studies and Educational Technology at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
TCPN reported on 26 April that 23-year-old Godwin went missing since April 16 after watching a football match at his brother’s lounge.
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His body was found the next day at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital with gunshot wounds to the stomach and bruises on his body.
Police claim he was shot by a soldier at a checkpoint, but his family disputes this, citing signs of torture and inconsistencies in the account.
“They told us a soldier shot at a minibus from behind, but the gunshots were in his stomach. He also had bruises on his body and hands — clear signs of torture. It doesn’t add up,” said his brother, Saviour Akpakpan.
The family also accused the investigating officer, Inspector Festus, of covering up the case by refusing to release the police report or pursue the matter.
Take-It-Back Movement condemned the killing and called for an independent investigation, describing the incident as another example of police brutality and impunity.
“We won’t rest until justice is served,” Saviour said.
