Gunmen suspected to be cultists have reportedly shot dead an undergraduate of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), identified simply as Alexander, while three others sustained injuries during an attack in Benin City, Edo State.
Kano Times gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday at about 6:00 p.m. in front of the Ugbowo campus of the institution along the Benin-Lagos Road.
According to eyewitnesses, the deceased was driving a GLK Mercedes Benz out of the campus alongside two other occupants when a white unregistered GLK Mercedes Benz allegedly intercepted the vehicle.
The witnesses said masked gunmen immediately opened fire on the car, targeting the driver’s side before fleeing the scene, leaving the victims in a pool of blood.
It was learnt that the deceased, said to be a part-time student of the Department of Political Science, had concluded his examinations about an hour before the attack.
The three injured victims, including a female passerby, were reportedly rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.
The spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that one person died while three others sustained injuries.
According to her, preliminary investigation revealed that the GLK vehicle conveying three occupants was driving out of the UNIBEN main gate when an unidentified white GLK intercepted them and opened fire at close range.
She added that the attack injured the occupants of the vehicle as well as a female passerby whose identity had yet to be ascertained.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that the State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, had ordered a full investigation to unravel those responsible and bring them to justice.
Meanwhile, the university management has dissociated its staff and students from the violent incident.
The institution’s spokesperson, Benedicta Ehanire, in a statement, said preliminary findings indicated that the attack was a fallout of cult-related activities outside the campus and did not involve any member of staff or student of the university.
The statement expressed regret over the loss of life and urged members of the university community to remain vigilant while continuing their academic activities peacefully.
