Gunmen stormed the University of Benin (UNIBEN) campus on Sunday night, killing a student near the main gate at Ugbowo, Edo state. The victim, driving a Mercedes-Benz, was leaving the campus when masked assailants opened fire at close range before fleeing.
Attack Details
According to eyewitnesses, the student had just completed an examination at the Department of Political Science about an hour earlier. The attackers, described as masked men, shot the victim multiple times in a deliberate manner. A student who witnessed the aftermath said: "They shot him at close range, and there was no way he could have survived the attack."
Injuries and Response
Two other occupants of the vehicle sustained injuries during the shooting and were rushed to the University of Benin Health Centre for emergency treatment. Police operatives from the Ugbowo Divisional Police Headquarters arrived at the scene and evacuated the remains of the deceased. The Divisional Police Officer, SP Emmanuel, confirmed the incident but stated that details remain unclear, adding that investigations have commenced.
As of the time of this report, the Edo State Police Command had not released an official statement.
Rising Security Concerns
The killing comes just a day after another student narrowly escaped an attack by suspected assailants armed with machetes near the Social Science Lecture Theatre on campus. These incidents have heightened fears among students and residents about escalating insecurity within and around the university.
Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues.
