Student stabbed to death

Tragedy struck in Calabar, south south Nigeria when the Labour Prefect of Army Day Secondary School, Boniface Odinakachukwu, 19, was stabbed to death for confiscating a fellow student’s sandals.

Investigations revealed that Boniface, an SSS II student met his untimely death when his fellow SS II student, one Francis (surname withheld), allegedly hired a colleague, Godwin (surname also withheld), 20, to assist him in beating up the Prefect for daring to accost him (Francis) for improper dressing in school.

The late Boniface, it was learnt, ensured that students complied with the mode of dressing within the school premises.

And in carrying out his official functions, the Prefect had accosted Godwin, queried him on why he should fly his shirt’s collar and adorning a pair of sandals during school hours and as a punishment, the late Boniface allegedly confiscated the sandals and handed it over to one of the school masters, hoping to return them to him the following day as it has always been the school practice.

Francis, sources said, did not raise any eyebrow as he walked quietly to his class without showing any sign that he was annoyed or out to do anything funny over the seizure of his sandals.

But trouble started, when after school had closed at 3:00 pm, Francis and a few of the students alleged to be cultists including Godwin, a school drop-out, were unknowingly trailing him and subsequently attacked and killed him in the process.

An eyewitness said: “As we were going home after school hours, we noticed some funny movements by senior students as they clustered and were pointing at our Labour Prefect, accusing him of always embarrassing students who don’t dress properly.

“The group of students numbering about five accosted Boniface and asked him why he embarrassed Francis and before he could utter a word, a fight ensued. At that time, Godwin just stepped forward, removed a dagger from his pocket and stabbed the Labour Prefect on the chest and he slumped and died instantly.”

On discovering that Boniface was dead, the boys fled, but were later arrested by the soldiers and handed over to the police.

Police sources said Godwin had confessed that he was hired by his friend, Francis, to assist in recovering a pair of sandals which Boniface had seized from him for allegedly dressing improperly.

The accused disclosed that Francis spotted the Labour Prefect for him from a distance and pointed at him and they went after him in a group.

Besides, a school drop-out admitted he got hold of the Labour Prefect from the back, and later stabbed him on the chest, saying he didn’t intend to kill him.

Francis was also said to have admitted that both of them laid ambush for the late Boniface at the school gate, waiting for the closing hour so that they could deal with him. He said that it was not their intention to kill him, but to just harass him and collect the sandals.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Hogan Bassey, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Calabar.