Gunmen kill 400-level UNIBEN student in Edo

Suspected gunmen have killed a 400-level Computer Engineering student of the University of Benin, Destiny Osasenaga, in Benin, Edo State. According to reports, the deceased was abducted from his residence in Uwelu, Benin, by gunmen who stormed the house in search of his elder brother. The gunmen, who were suspected to be secret cult members, had claimed that the elder brother had offended one of their gang members and was declared wanted.

It was learnt that the deceased was beaten to death by the gunmen and dumped at a refuse site by the roadside. The principal suspect, Kenneth Ediagbonya, has been arrested by the police in his hideout in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Other gang members who are at large would also be arrested, according to the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor.

The incident has caused an uproar among students and members of the University of Benin community. The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Lilian Salami, has expressed her condolences to the family of the deceased and described the incident as "barbaric, despicable and a sad commentary on the state of security in the country."

The Vice-Chancellor also called on the police to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crime are brought to justice. She further assured the university community of the management's commitment to the safety and security of staff and students.

Reacting to the incident, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, condemned the killing and assured that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Philip Shaibu, during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased, described the incident as "wicked and unacceptable".

He assured the people of the state that the government would do everything within its power to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law. The governor also called on members of the public to assist the police with information that would lead to the arrest of the other members of the gang.

The killing of the student has once again brought to the fore the issue of insecurity in the country, especially in the higher institutions of learning. It is not uncommon to hear of cases of abduction, robbery, rape, and murder on Nigerian campuses.

Students and members of the University of Benin community have called on the government to provide adequate security on campuses and in the surrounding areas. They have also called for the government to take decisive action to curb the activities of secret cults and other criminal elements in the state.