Gunmen suspected to be cultists on Sunday shot dead a student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and injured three others in a violent attack in Benin City, the capital of Edo State.
It was gathered that the attack occurred at about 6 p.m. along the Benin-Lagos Road, directly in front of the university’s main gate… SEE VIDEO ON X
Eyewitnesses disclosed that the deceased, identified simply as Alexander, was driving a Mercedes-Benz GLK out of the campus with two other occupants when intercepted by another unregistered white Mercedes-Benz GLK with masked gunmen...READ FULL STORY; FROM THE SOURCE.
The gunmen were said to have immediately opened fire on the vehicle at close range, targeting the driver’s side before speeding away from the scene.
Alexander, said to be a student in the Political Science Department’s part-time programme, had reportedly completed his examination about an hour before the attack.
Three other victims, including a female passerby struck during the shooting, sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for treatment.
The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident on Monday, saying one person died while three others were injured.
Ikoedem said preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were driving out of the UNIBEN gate when the gunmen intercepted them and opened fire.
“The gunmen opened fire on the vehicle at close range, injuring the three occupants and a female passerby whose identity is yet to be ascertained,” she said, adding that the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, had ordered an investigation to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack.
Meanwhile, the UNIBEN management distanced the institution from the incident, noting that the attack occurred outside the campus and was linked to cult-related violence.
In a statement issued by the university’s spokesperson, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, the institution said preliminary reports showed that the incident did not involve any staff or students of UNIBEN.
Ehanire stated: “The University of Benin has dissociated its staff and students from the violent clash outside the Ugbowo Campus of the institution.
“Management of the university, while expressing regrets over the reported fatality, urges members of the university community to remain vigilant and go about their academic activities peacefully.”
