From Joe Effiong, Uyo
Gunmen suspected to be members of a notorious cult group yesterday shot dead the vice principal of Community Secondary School, Nkek, in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The vice principal, Sunday Brownson Essien, was shot at the school premises by armed men led by the leader of a cult group.
Daily Sun gathered that the gunmen stormed the school premises as classes just resumed and and shot dead the vice principal.
Witnesses said the incident caused pandemonium in the school, as students and staff scampered for safety and could only attend to the murdered vice principal after the hoodlums shot their way out of the school compound.
The slain teacher was alleged to have received a letter a few days back from the cultist demanding N1 million to save him from being slaughtered.
The gang was alleged to be responsible for the killing of a youth, Paragi, last month in the area. Paragi was shot dead at close range.
The police claimed that the former chairman of Ukanafun knew about the activities of the group.
The former chairman and a few others were arrested and charged to court for several murders, including that of ex-deputy speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Obong Okon Uwah, during political consultation.
Among others so far killed in Ukanafun were the immediate past secretary of the local government, Mr. Ime Atakpa, his friend, Akaninyene Udoaka, and a lawyer, Mfon Etukudo.
The state police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ikechukwu Chukwu, who confirmed the murder of the vice principal, however, said he was yet to get full details of the incident.