Gunmen suspected to be cultists on Sunday shot dead an undergraduate said to be of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and injured three others in a violent attack.

The attack reportedly occurred at about 6 p.m. along the Benin-Lagos Road, directly in front of the university’s main gate.

Witnesses said the deceased, identified simply as Alexander, was driving a Mercedes-Benz GLK out of the campus with two other occupants who were identified as Onwuke Blessed, Alexander Omogiate, and Chinenye Christian Mbagwu.

When masked gunmen in another unregistered white GLK Mercedes-Benz intercepted them.

According to witness accounts, the attackers immediately opened fire on the vehicle at close range, targeting the driver’s side before speeding away from the scene.

A female passerby, Dorathy Ubah, also sustained gunshot wounds during the assault.

Alexander, said to be a student in the Political Science Department’s irregular programme, had reportedly completed his examination about an hour before the attack.

Following the attack, the victims were immediately rushed to medical facilities. Alexander Omogiate was confirmed dead upon arrival at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH),

While the other injured individuals are currently receiving treatment at both UBTH and the University of Benin Health Care Center.

Eno Ikoedem, the police spokesperson in Edo, confirmed the incident on Monday, stating that one person died while three others were injured.

She added that the Commissioner of Police in the State, Monday Agbonika, ordered a full investigation to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack.

Meanwhile, the University of Benin management distanced the institution from the incident, insisting that the clash occurred off-campus and was linked to cult-related violence.

In a statement signed by the university’s Public Relations Officer,Benedicta Ehanire, the institution said preliminary reports indicated that the incident did not involve any staff or students of the university.

“The University of Benin has dissociated its staff and students from the violent clash outside the Ugbowo Campus of the institution.

“Management of the university, while expressing regrets over the reported fatality, urges members of the university community to remain vigilant and go about their academic activities peacefully,” she said.

Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, strongly condemned the violent act, assuring the public and the university community that the command is fully committed to tracking down the fleeing perpetrators and bringing them to justice.

He further issued a stern warning to criminal elements and hoodlums operating around university campuses to vacate the state, reiterating the police's unwavering commitment to combating crime.

The DPO of the Ugbowo Divisional Police Headquarters, SP Emmanuel, stated that details were still sketchy as investigations were in their early stages.