UNIBEN declares lecture-free day over killing of student

In response to the murder of Desmond Rukevwe Obukhowo, also known as Mayor, a final-year student, the administration of the University of Benin in Edo State has proclaimed Tuesday, April 4, 2023 a lecture-free day.

The victim, a public administration student in the 400-level, was shot in the face at close range on Monday night around 9 o’clock. Before he was slain, he also served as the school’s Kegite chief.

The school’s public relations officer, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, urged the university community to maintain calm in a news release on Monday while emphasizing that investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of 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.

The administration had earlier issued a calm-down order, telling everyone that the offender would be brought to justice and that the university’s internal security team was coordinating with the police to make sure that such a heinous act never occurred there again.