UNIBEN student shot dead after final exam

Austin Izu, a 400-level student of the department of political science at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), has been shot dead by gunmen.

Izu, who recently sat for his final exam, was killed when he visited the room of Walter Emeka, his friend, at an off-campus hostel, where he also resided,  along the Federal Girls College Road, Ugbowo.

The deceased was said to have been coming down from his room at the upper floor of the hostel to that of his friend which is at the ground floor of the building when the incident happened.

Four armed and masked men were said to have entered the room and killed Izu on the spot while Emeka was shot in his upper arm, leaving him seriously injured.

Emeka is said to be responding to treatment while the corpse of Izu had been deposited in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

Kontongs Bello, Edo state police command’s spokesman, who confirmed the incident to TheCable Lifestyle on Wednesday, said the matter is being investigated.

According to Bello, the attack is linked to clash among cultists in the area, noting that a suspect has been arrested.

“Yes, it’s cultism-related, one died on Monday, another died on Tuesday night while one was also injured on the same day and is currently receiving treatment at the hospital,” he said.

“Basically, they’re all cultism-related activities and they’re all students according to the reports we received. We have arrested a suspect in connection with the incident. He’s presently at Ugbowo.”

When contacted, Benedicta Ehanire, the varsity’s spokesperson, said she was in a meeting and promised to revert.

“Please call me back, I’m currently in a meeting,” she told TheCable Lifestyle.