The management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State has declared Tuesday, April 4, 2023 as a lecture-free day over the killing of a final year student, Desmond Rukevwe Obukhowo, popularly called Mayor.
The deceased was a 400-level student of the Department of Public Administration and was shot in the face at close range at about 9pm at Hall 3 Hostel. He was also the Kegite chief of the school before he was killed.
In a press statement on Monday, the school’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Benedicta Ehanire appealed to the university community for calm, noting that efforts were being made to unravel the motive behind the killing.
She said, “Tuesday 4th April, 2023, has been declared lecture-free by the management of the University of Benin following the traumatic murder incident which occurred at the University’s campus on Monday night.
“The Management further appeals to members of the University community to remain calm as efforts are being intensified to ensure the safety of staff and students while security agencies are investigating the sad incident.
“Management again prays to God to comfort the family and colleagues of the deceased and to grant his soul peaceful rest,” she added.
Earlier, the management had called for calm assuring that the culprit would be brought to book as the school’s internal security unit was working with the police to ensure that such a dastardly act does not happen in the university again.
As at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that his remains had been deposited in the mortuary at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
