A banker was shot dead, on Sunday, while attempting to resist kidnappers who attacked a family at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Imo State.
But while the deceased’s two sons escaped the attack, two female students were abducted by the invaders.
The incident, which occurred on September 6, 2026, reportedly took place around the NDDC Hostel and the university’s East Back Gate, renewing concerns over the safety of students, staff and residents in and around the institution.
The deceased was identified as Osita Onuoha, a banker and branch manager of Polaris Bank in Owerri. He was reportedly at FUTO to drop off his two sons, who are students of the university, when suspected kidnappers confronted them.
Sources close to the incident said the two boys managed to escape during the encounter.
Their father, however, reportedly confronted the assailants in an attempt to help his children escape. He was subsequently shot several times, according to the sources, before the attackers fled with two female students.
The abducted students were identified as Igwegbe Chioma Lilian, popularly known as Omah, a 2025 FUTO graduate, and Spencer Jennifer Adaeze, a 300-level Optometry student.
Their reported abduction has caused anxiety among their families, friends and members of the university community.
However, conflicting accounts have emerged over their whereabouts.
While a source within the university said the two students had been released, another source maintained that they remained in captivity.
Meanwhile, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), in a statement, welcomed the safe release of the abducted female students, commending the security agencies and others whose efforts contributed to their rescue.
Describing their safe return as a relief to their families, fellow students and the university community, the group urged authorities not to allow the students’ release to overshadow the recurring security threats around FUTO, calling for sustained and coordinated measures to prevent further kidnappings and violent attacks.
RULAAC’s statement coincides with reports that the abductors demanded N100 million as ransom for their release, although the claim could not be independently verified.
Brother mourns
Obinna Collins Onuoha, who described himself as the deceased’s only blood brother, expressed shock and grief over his death.
In a Facebook post, he said his brother was killed while taking his children back to FUTO.
“My only blood brother is gone!!!! Shot and killed while taking his children back to FUTO. Who did this to us? Killed before his sons!! Cha, what a wicked world. Your killers will never go free! Rest in peace, my blood,” he wrote.
ASUU raises alarm over perimeter fencing
The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), FUTO branch, Dr Chinedu Ihejirika, attributed part of the security challenges facing the university to the absence of a complete perimeter fence around the institution.
Ihejirika said the problem had persisted for years, noting that successive vice-chancellors had raised concerns about the need to properly secure the university’s boundaries.
“The security challenges we have is that FUTO is not walled off and this has given rise to insecurity. But it did not start today. Many vice-chancellors of the university had called for the perimeter fencing of the institution,” he said.
He recalled that during the tenure of either Prof. Asiabaka or Prof. Francis Eze, portions of the university were fenced as part of efforts to improve security.
He alleged, however, that some hoodlums later pulled down sections of the fence and carted away materials belonging to the university.
According to him, securing FUTO should not be left to the university authorities alone, as it requires collaboration among security agencies, traditional institutions, residents and other stakeholders.
“The issue of security is not FUTO alone; it is a joint effort of the security agencies, traditional institutions, residents and other individuals,” he said.
Ihejirika also commended the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ikechukwu Dozie, for engaging security agencies over the security situation.
He said Dozie had visited relevant security formations and sought stronger collaboration to address insecurity around the university.
FUTO seeks police intervention
Following the attack, the university management approached the Imo State Police Command for urgent assistance.
The Vice-Chancellor led a delegation of the university management to the Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, where they raised concerns over the safety of students and other members of the university community.
The delegation also sought police assistance in securing the safe recovery of the abducted students.
The commissioner reportedly assured the university management of the command’s commitment to securing the institution and working towards the safe recovery of the students.
He also said security operatives were making efforts to track the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Ihejirika also linked the security concerns to the poor condition of roads around the university, particularly routes leading to the area where the latest incident occurred.
“Our roads are completely damaged. From Obinze Junction to FUTO is damaged, likewise the Back Gate or East Gate where the incident happened,” he said.
He appealed to the Imo State Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and FUTO alumni to collaborate on the rehabilitation of the roads.
“We need NDDC, government and alumni to come together to rehabilitate the roads to secure lives and property,” he said.
He also expressed concern over thick bushes surrounding parts of the university, saying they could provide hiding places for criminals and increase the vulnerability of students and residents.
Residents demand urgent action
Residents living around FUTO have also called for urgent measures to address the security situation in the area.
They expressed concern about the vulnerability of students and residents who use poorly maintained roads and routes bordered by overgrown vegetation.
The residents called on the state and federal governments, security agencies and other relevant authorities to strengthen security around the university and neighbouring communities.
They urged the authorities to clear overgrown bushes, rehabilitate access roads, increase security patrols and complete the perimeter fencing of the institution.
According to them, securing FUTO is not only about protecting students and staff but also the thousands of residents who live and operate businesses around the university.
They warned that continued neglect of the security vulnerabilities around the institution could expose more students and residents to kidnappers and other criminal elements.
The latest incident has heightened calls for intensified security operations around FUTO as families and members of the university community await clarity on the whereabouts of the two students and efforts to secure their safe release.