The family of Godwin Akpakpan, a 300-level student of the University of Port Harcourt, is crying out for justice following his mysterious and tragic death allegedly at the hands of operatives of the Anti-Cult Unit of the Rivers State Police Command.

Godwin, described by loved ones as calm and easy-going, was reported missing on April 16 after watching a football match at a lounge owned by his elder brother. The next day, his lifeless body was discovered at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) morgue — with two gunshot wounds to his stomach and visible bruises on his body and hands.

The Rivers State Police Command claimed Godwin was shot by a Nigerian Army officer at a checkpoint. However, his family firmly rejects this account, alleging a coordinated attempt to shield the Anti-Cult operatives responsible for his death.

\"We are demanding that the police authorities investigate the extrajudicial killing of my brother and bring all officers involved to justice,\" said Saviour Francis Akpakpan, Godwin’s elder brother.

According to Saviour, the police narrative does not align with the physical evidence they found. \"They told us a soldier shot at a minibus from behind, but the gunshots were in his stomach. He also had bruises on his body and hands — clear signs of torture. It doesn’t add up,\" he said.

The family is also raising concerns about Inspector Festus, the investigating police officer assigned to the case, accusing him of attempting a cover-up by refusing to conduct a thorough investigation or release the police statement detailing the events surrounding Godwin’s death.

“Inspector Festus told us the Anti-Cultism unit at Dragon Base took his body to UPTH but has since refused to properly investigate. We\'ve gone to the station multiple times requesting the statement, but he won’t give it to us. It’s as if he’s protecting those responsible,” Saviour said.

Godwin was a student of Curriculum Studies and Educational Technology in the Faculty of Education. His family maintains that he had no links to cultism and was killed unjustly by those meant to protect him.

In a show of solidarity, the pro-democracy group, Take-It-Back Movement, visited the Akpakpan family and joined calls for justice, condemning police brutality and the rising cases of extrajudicial killings in Nigeria.

“This case is another grim reminder of the unchecked power and impunity within our law enforcement agencies,” a spokesperson for the movement said. “We demand an independent investigation and full accountability.”

The death of Godwin Akpakpan has sparked widespread outrage, reigniting calls for urgent police reforms and greater transparency within the Nigeria Police Force.

As the family continues its painful quest for truth and justice, their message remains clear: “We will not rest until justice is served,” Saviour declared.

The Nigerian government and relevant authorities must act swiftly to ensure justice is not just done, but seen to be done — to restore public trust and uphold the sanctity of life.