BENIN CITY – Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has issued a stern warning to criminal elements in the state following the brutal murder of a University of Benin (UNIBEN) student at the institution’s main gate in Ugbowo.
The victim, identified as Alexander Omogiate, a student of the Political Science Department, was reportedly ambushed and shot at close range by masked gunmen on Sunday evening. The attack occurred just an hour after the deceased had concluded his final examinations.
A “Senseless” Sunday Attack
Eyewitness accounts indicate that Omogiate was driving out of the campus in a Mercedes Benz (JLK) around 5:00 pm when the assailants struck. The gunmen, who operated with professional precision, fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
While Omogiate died on the spot, three other occupants of the vehicle sustained various degrees of injuries. A passerby was also reportedly hit by a stray bullet during the volleys of gunfire. The survivors were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for emergency treatment.
Governor Vows No “Sweep Under the Rug”
In a statement released on Monday through his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, Governor Okpebholo described the killing as an “affront to human dignity” and a direct attack on the peace of Edo State.
”The perpetrators will be found and justice will be served,” the Governor assured. “This case will not be swept under the rug. They may run, but they cannot hide forever.”
Okpebholo emphasized that his administration remains committed to a “zero-tolerance” policy regarding cultism and violent crime. He highlighted ongoing collaborations between the state government and the Nigerian Police Force, the DSS, and the Nigerian Army to dismantle criminal networks.
Crackdown on Cultism
The Governor noted that since assuming office, his administration has intensified security operations in cult-prone communities, leading to several arrests. He reiterated that the state would not become a “sanctuary for criminals.”
The Edo State Police Command, through its spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed that operatives from the Ugbowo Divisional Police Headquarters have evacuated the remains and commenced a full-scale investigation into the fatal shooting.
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A Community in Mourning
The incident has sent shockwaves through the UNIBEN community, particularly as it occurred during the jubilant period of final exams. Students who witnessed the aftermath described the scene as “horrific,” noting that the close-range nature of the attack suggested a targeted assassination.
The Governor has urged members of the public with any information regarding the identities or whereabouts of the masked gunmen to contact the police immediately, promising that all tips will be handled with strict confidentiality.
