Tragedy struck at the University of Benin on Sunday night after unidentified gunmen reportedly shot dead a student and injured two others near the institution’s main gate at Ugbowo.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers opened fire at close range on the student while he was inside a JLK Mercedes-Benz vehicle attempting to leave the campus. The assailants, said to be masked, fled the scene immediately after the attack.
Sources within the university community disclosed that the victim had earlier completed an examination in the Department of Political Science before the fatal incident occurred about an hour later.
Two other occupants of the vehicle survived the attack but sustained injuries. They were reportedly rushed to the university’s health care centre for urgent medical attention.
A student who witnessed the aftermath of the incident said the victim had little chance of survival due to the severity of the gunshot wounds.
Operatives attached to the Ugbowo Divisional Police Headquarters later arrived at the scene and evacuated the deceased’s body.
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The Divisional Police Officer, identified as SP Emmanuel, confirmed the incident but noted that details surrounding the attack were still unclear as investigations continued.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force in Edo State had yet to release an official statement on the killing.
Meanwhile, tension has continued to grow within the university community following another reported security scare on campus. A student was allegedly chased by an armed individual wielding a machete at the Social Science Lecture Theatre on Saturday but reportedly escaped unharmed.