Obukobo Oghenerukhewe, also known as Mayor, was shot and killed by gunmen on Tuesday, according to the Edo State Police Command, which said it was a cult-related killing. Mayor was a final-year student at the University of Benin (UNIBEN).
State command Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Chidi Nwabuzor said the late Mayor, who was also the Chief of the Kegites Club in the university, was a member of Maphites secret cult group and was killed by members of the Black Axe, popularly called Aye.
Nwabuzor said: “The DPO Ugbowo reported that he got a phone call from the CSO of the university about the incident and when they got to a room in Hall 3, they saw his lifeless body and some items such as a voter’s card, a school ID card with him.
“Preliminary investigation showed that the victim was a member of Mahpites while the killers were members of Black Axe, Aye. The DPO will transfer the case to the SCID to continue the investigation”.
According to a statement by the school’s Public Relations Officer, Benedicta Ehanire, the “gruesome shooting occurred in one of the halls of residence and was carried out by a yet-to-be-identified gunman.
“While commiserating with the family and colleagues of the late student, management enjoins other students to be calm as the police as well as other security agencies are working hard to fish out and arrest the culprit.
“Management is also working closely with the internal security units in ensuring that such a dastardly incident does not occur again within the university’s premises”.
Also, the National Youth Council of Nigeria has condemned the killing.
In a statement, the state council Chairman and Public Relations Officer, Sarah Igunbor and Aigbovbiosa Osadebamwenm said: “The killing is a dent in the fine reputation of the citadel of learning and it comes off as barbaric and inhuman”.
