By Ogochukwu Isioma
Following the killing of a final year student of the University of Benin, Desmond Obukobo Oghenerukhewe, the institution, yesterday, deployed and stationed security operatives at strategic points on campus.
Desmond, popularly called ‘Mayor’ by friends and colleagues, was Monday night murdered in cold blood right inside his hostel room in the popular Hall 3 unisex hall of residence at the Ugbowo main campus.
A visit to the University located at the ever-busy Uselu-Lagos expressway, Wednesday, revealed that security have been beefed up on campus following the gruesome murder of the male Public Administration student.
Armed security operatives were sighted by this Reporter apparently on duty to unmask the perpetrators of the murder, restore peace to the troubled students’ community and forestall breakdown of law and order.
At the institution’s main gate, entrance to the university’s campus, security operatives on duty were busy carrying out a stop-and-search operation, while some patrol vans were seen moving around campus.
Other unmarked patrol vehicles with uniform men and security personnel on mufti were equally sighted around some faculties including Engineering, Bursary, lecture theatres and other locations.
It was also observed that security have been beefed up around the central administration building housing the Vice Chancellor’s Office and other principal officers, including Registry (Office of the Registrar).
Normal activities including lectures were ongoing at the various faculties after the one-day lecture free day observed on Tuesday, in honour of the victim, with students gathered in groups discussing the matter.
One of the students who spoke to metrowatchxtra.com under the strict condition of anonymity, equally confirmed sighting security operatives at the hostel where the incident took place.
“Yes, it is true that investigation has started. Some police officers came to the hostel and cordoned off the crime scene, the room is under lock and key as we speak,” the student said.
Spokesperson for the Edo state police command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, had on Tuesday, while confirming the student’s murder to journalists, described the killing as cult-related.
He said the late Desmond, who was also the head of Kegites Club in the university, was a member of Maphites secret cult group and he was killed by members of the Black Axe popularly called Eiye.
“Preliminary investigation showed that the victim was a member of Maphites while the killers are members of Aye. The DPO will transfer the case to the SCID to continue investigation,” the police image maker said.
On its part, the University of Benin said management had intensified efforts to protect the lives of staff and students and forestall re-occurrence within the university’s premises.
A statement endorsed by the UNIBEN’s spokesperson, Mrs Benedicta Ehanire, said ”Management is working closely with the internal security units in ensuring that such dastardly incident does not occur again within the University’s premises.”
While commiserating with the family and colleagues of the murdered student, the UNIBEN management enjoined other students to be calm “as the Police as well as other Security Agencies are working hard to fish out and arrest the culprit.”
Meanwhile, colleagues of the deceased and the leadership of the university’s Students’ Union Government (SUG) have announced procession for their murdered colleague holding on Thursday at the institution’s main campus.
