It is no longer news that terrorists parading themselves as gunmen in Nigeria, and senselessly murdering innocent citizens, have again murdered in cold blood, passengers enroute Ekwulobia in Anambra state, who among was a fresh first class graduate of Information and Media Studies, from the Faculty of Communication, Bayero University Kano (BUK)
The fresh graduate, simply identified as Matthew, was going for his National Youth Service Corp NYSC in Anambra state when he, and other passengers, met their unfortunate death.
Narrating the sad incident, was Matthew’s friend and course-mate, Salis Manager, who also did the internship programme with him at PRNigeria.
He said,
“Mathew was among the first set of students to intern with PRNigeria Centre in Kano in 2019. He lost his father in June, few months to his final examination. He graduated as the overall best student of our Department in August 2021, and was due to enrol for mandatory NYSC programme next week.”
Another of Matthew’s friends, who happened to be closer to him since their Diploma days on campus, Gambo Ibrahim, with teary eyes said, Matthew “was on a six-month non-residential fellowship programme, that trains, and mentors young citizen activists, to push for democratic reforms.”
“He was on his way to Anambra from Abuja, when the gunmen attacked their vehicle.”
Mathew’s sister, Jemila, also disclosed that, her brother was traveling with his boss on the ill-fated day along with other passengers, including the driver, in a private vehicle.
She narrated how the vehicle was waylaid, resulting in gunmen killing all the passengers, with only the driver escaping.
“After waylaying them, the gunmen opened fire on them killing all of them except the driver who escaped.”
She continued,
“So, when we couldn’t reach him and hear of the incident, we sent Sule’s picture to the mortuary to confirm if he was among those killed, and we got feedback that he was identified among those killed.”
Another course-mate of Mathew, Binta Musawa, said,
“Prior to this sad news, I kept calling him on phone but couldn’t reach him, then suddenly we heard this sad news. I am so shocked.”
Mathew, a native of Ayangaba, in Kogi atate, was the co-founder of hostutors.com – a Nigeria social enterprise, that focuses on making learning in formal and vocational education accessible and affordable for everyone, by connecting all categories of learners with best-fit tutors.
His remains and that of other passengers have been deposited at the mortuary.
May their souls Rest In Peace.