A student of the University of Benin was on Sunday night shot dead by suspected gunmen near the institution’s main gate at Ugbowo, Edo State.
The victim, whose identity had yet to be confirmed as of the time of filing this report, was reportedly attacked while driving a JLK Mercedes-Benz out of the university premises.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants, believed to be masked gunmen, opened fire on the student at close range before fleeing the scene.
Sources within the university community disclosed that the deceased had earlier participated in an examination at the Department of Political Science before the incident occurred.
Two other occupants of the vehicle were said to have sustained injuries during the attack and were rushed to the University of Benin Health Centre for treatment.
One of the students who witnessed the incident said the attack appeared targeted.
“They shot him at close range and immediately sped off. Two other persons inside the vehicle were injured and taken to the school health centre,” the source said.
Operatives of the Ugbowo Divisional Police Headquarters were later deployed to the scene and evacuated the victim’s body.
The Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area, identified simply as SP Emmanuel, confirmed the incident, saying details surrounding the attack were still unclear.
He noted that investigations had commenced into the killing.
As of the time of filing this report, the Edo State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Meanwhile, tension has reportedly heightened within the university community following another security scare on campus.
A student was allegedly chased by unidentified persons wielding machetes near the Social Science Lecture Theatre on Saturday, although the victim reportedly escaped unhurt.
