The Edo State Police Command, yesterday, said the killing of a final year student of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, identified as Obukobo Oghenerukhewe, popularly called Mayor, by gunmen was cult-related.
The State Command Police Public Relations Officer, ChidiNwabuzor, 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 a rival cult.
The DPO Ugbowo reported that he got a call from the CSO of the university about the incident and when they got to a room in Hall 3, they saw a lifeless body and some items such as 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.â€
Also, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, has condemned the killing.
A statement by the state 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.