- Fresh Twist Emerges In Killing Of UNIBEN Student Shot Near Campus Gate
- Alleged N90m Deal Linked To Fatal Shooting
- Police Deny Death Of Female Victim
Fresh details have emerged surrounding the killing of a 200-level part-time Political Science student of University of Benin who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen near the institution’s main gate on Sunday.
Eko Hot Blog reports that while the incident was initially suspected to be cult-related, new findings indicate the attack may have stemmed from an alleged unresolved financial dispute.
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The victim, identified as Alexander Omogiate, was reportedly attacked alongside other occupants of a Mercedes-Benz GLK vehicle around the university’s Ugbowo campus gate in Benin City.
Reports had earlier claimed that a female passerby, Dorathy Ubah, who was struck by a stray bullet during the shooting, later died from her injuries. However, the Edo State Police Command dismissed the claim, insisting she is still alive and receiving treatment.
In a statement, the command’s spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed that only Omogiate died in the incident, while other victims are responding to treatment at the hospital.
According to the police, the victims —l identified as Onwuke Blessed, Alexander Omogiate and Chinenye Christian Mbagwu were driving out of the university when another GLK vehicle intercepted them and opened fire before fleeing the scene.
The command disclosed that police operatives quickly responded and rushed the injured victims to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for emergency treatment.
“The report claiming the female victim died is false and misleading,” the police said, adding that Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika personally visited the victims at the hospital.
The police also confirmed that a full-scale investigation has commenced to identify and arrest those behind the attack.
Meanwhile, sources familiar with the incident alleged that the shooting may have been linked to a dispute over a N90 million internet fraud deal.
According to the source, tensions reportedly escalated after disagreements emerged over the sharing of proceeds linked to the alleged transaction.
The source claimed the late Omogiate was allegedly tracked from his examination hall by suspected associates before the attackers opened fire on his vehicle near the school gate.
Security has since been strengthened around the hospital where the surviving victims are receiving treatment to prevent any further incident.
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