Panic as gunmen shoot UNIBEN student dead at campus gate

Panic and shock gripped the University of Benin (UNIBEN) community on Sunday evening after a yet-to-be-identified person, believed to be a student of the institution, was reportedly shot dead by masked gunmen at the school’s main gate.

The tragic incident occurred at the entrance of the university’s Ugbowo campus as the victim was said to be driving out in a GLK Mercedes-Benz with Lagos registration number AAA 601 HT when the attackers struck.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants, who arrived in another GLK Mercedes-Benz vehicle, blocked the victim’s car and shot him at close range before fleeing the scene.

The attackers were said to have abandoned their vehicle after carrying out the attack, throwing the area into panic as students and residents scampered for safety.

The victim had reportedly finished his exams in the Political Science department about an hour earlier before he met his tragic end.

Two other victims in the vehicle with the deceased, who survived the attack, were said to have been rushed to the University of Benin Health Care Centre.

One student said, “They blocked them in their own vehicle and shot at them at close range, and there was no way he could have survived the attack. The gunshots were massive and terrifying. Two others who were in the vehicles were also injured and rushed to the school’s health care centre.”

Operatives from the Ugbowo Divisional Police Headquarters were at the scene evacuating the remains of the victim.

The DPO of the Divisional Police Headquarters SP Emmanuel said it was still too sketchy and they are yet to issue an official statement.

In a separate report, another student was allegedly chased with a machete at the Social Science Lecture Theatre on Saturday but escaped unhurt.