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The police in Imo State have launched a manhunt for a caretaker, whose name has not been ascertained, for allegedly killing a 100-level student of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Anthony Chinweotito.

The incident, which happened at the Ezinwanne Lodge, Nekede, caused tempers to flare in the area.

The students of the institution went on the rampage and destroyed the windows and doors of the hostel.

Our correspondent gathered that the caretaker, who is now on the run, had engaged in a heated argument with the occupants of the lodge over rent.

While the students argued that concession should be given to them since they did not enjoy the rents they paid last year as a result of the several months of lockdown, which affected academic activities, the caretaker was said to have insisted that they must pay the new rents in full.

When the argument became heated, the caretaker allegedly disconnected the tap that supplied water to all the rooms in the building and left.

A source told our correspondent that the students reconnected the tap, which provoked the caretaker upon his return.

The source said, “The caretaker got angry when he returned and noticed that the students had reconnected the water tap. He inquired and the students owned up that it was impossible to stay in the house without access to water.

“An argument ensued and the hot tempered caretaker used a sharp object and hit one of the students on the head and the boy fell down. Not satisfied, he picked up a stick and hit the boy several times, while he was still lying on the ground.

“The boy lost consciousness and the caretaker fled. The students rallied round and the school ambulance was provided. He was first rushed to a nearby local hospital, but was rejected. He was later rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, where he was admitted.

“He was unconscious from Tuesday, when the incident happened, and Saturday, when he died.”

Our correspondent learnt that the deceased, a native of Abia State, was born in 2001. He was a 100-level student of the Building Technology Department.

The police spokesman in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, who confirmed the incident, said investigation into it had commenced and that a manhunt had been launched for the caretaker.

The Public Relations Officer of the polytechnic, Evaris Nwosu, said the management would take a decision on the incident on Monday (today).

He said, “Though the incident happened on Tuesday, but the student died on Saturday, which was a non-working day. Definitely, the management will take a decision on this on Monday (today) and we will relay it to the public.

“But it is important to state that before the incident, there had been a meeting between the school management and landlords, where the welfare of the students with regards to rent was discussed. You know that the lockdown affected academic activities last year and the students pay rents according to the academic year and not the normal year.”