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The Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic (AKWAPOLY), located in Ikot Osurua, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, has been plunged into mourning following the sudden and mysterious death of a final-year student, Emem Okon Jimmy, from the Department of Journalism and Media Studies.
Emem, who was in her final semester (HND 2), was found dead under unexplained circumstances in her one-room apartment on campus.
She reportedly died in her sleep on the night of Thursday, July 17, 2025, but her lifeless body was not discovered until the following evening, Friday, July 18, after concerned neighbours raised an alarm when they noticed her prolonged absence.
According to eyewitnesses, Emem had been in good health the night before her death. One tenant, who spoke anonymously, said she had dinner with fellow students in the lodge and appeared completely fine before retiring to bed. However, when she failed to come out of her room the next day, her absence drew concern among the occupants of the hostel.
Usen Abang, a fellow student and neighbour, recounted that around 10 p.m. on Friday, the caretaker noticed that Emem had not been seen all day. With the door firmly locked from the inside, suspicion grew. In a desperate attempt to access the room, some of the tenants climbed the building, removed the roofing sheets, and broke through the ceiling.
What they found inside was heartbreaking. Emem’s body was discovered lying face down on the bed, wrapped in a bedsheet. She was still clutching her phone, as though she had attempted to call for help but couldn’t. There were visible signs of blood from her nose, staining the mattress.
The caretaker immediately contacted her elder brother, who drove down from Uyo to retrieve the body. Her remains were taken to the mortuary and later buried in her family’s compound along Dominic Utuk Lane in Uyo.
In a show of solidarity and grief, students of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies held a candlelight procession ahead of her burial. During the event, the Head of Department, Dr. Inemesit Umoren, offered words of comfort, urging students to stay strong and trust in God’s will. He also encouraged them to prioritize their health by seeking regular medical checkups while pursuing their academic goals.
Hon. Nsoefen Mark Akpan, the President of the department’s student association, called on all students to honour their departed colleague by attending her funeral.
“I know our hearts are heavy and our eyes filled with tears, but I plead with you all to come out and give Emem the farewell she deserves,” he said.
Emem’s passing has left the polytechnic community in shock, with many still trying to come to terms with the loss of a young life full of promise.