The Edo State police command has confirmed the killing of Desmond Obukobo Oghenerukhewe, a final year student of the University of Benin, also known as “Mayor,” in one of the halls of residence on campus.
SP Chidi Nwabuzor, a spokesman for the state police command, described the murder as cult-related. The victim, who was the head of the Kegite Club at the university, was a member of the Maphite secret cult group and was allegedly killed by members of Bl@ck Axe, popularly called Aye.
Nwabuzor stated, “Preliminary investigation indicated that the victim was a member of Maphite while the perpetrators are members of Aye.”
The police command reported that upon receiving a phone call from the university’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), the DPO Ugbowo responded and discovered the victim’s lifeless body with some items like a voter’s card, school ID card, and more.
The DPO will transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigations.
Meanwhile, the University of Benin has condemned Monday night’s brutal killing and pledged to cooperate with internal security units to prevent similar occurrences.
A statement by the UNIBEN spokesperson, Mrs. Benedicta Ehanire, extended condolences to the deceased’s family and colleagues, charging students to remain composed as the police and other security agencies work to capture and apprehend the perpetrator.
Cult activities have been rampant across Nigerian universities in recent years.
Despite the efforts of the authorities to curb these activities, students’ engagement in them has not relented.
Observers warn that these cult activities pose a major threat to the safety of students and the university community, as well as the reputation of these tertiary institutions.
