ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Gunmen suspected to be cultists on Sunday killed an undergraduate said to be of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and injured three others in a violent attack.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 6 p.m. along the Benin-Lagos Road, directly in front of the university’s main gate.
Witnesses said the deceased, identified simply as Alexander, was driving a Mercedes-Benz GLK out of the campus with two other occupants when they were intercepted by another unregistered white GLK Mercedes-Benz carrying masked gunmen.
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According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers 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 irregular 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 spokesperson for the Police Command in Edo State, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident on Monday, saying one person died while three others were injured.
She said preliminary investigations showed that the victims were driving out of the university gate when another white GLK 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.
According to her, Alexander was confirmed dead at the hospital, while the other victims are currently receiving treatment.
She added that the Commissioner of Police in the State, Monday Agbonika, had ordered a full investigation to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack.
Meanwhile, the management of the University of Benin distanced the institution from the incident, insisting that the clash occurred outside the campus and was linked to cult-related violence.
In a statement signed by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, the institution said preliminary reports indicated that the incident did not involve any staff or students of the university.
“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,” she said.