Panic swept through the Ugbowo axis of Benin City on Saturday after unknown gunmen carried out a brazen daylight assassination just outside the main gate of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), killing a motorist in what witnesses described as a coordinated “hit-style” attack.
The victim, whose identity had not been officially confirmed as of Saturday evening, was reportedly driving a white Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV when he was ambushed near the busy university entrance by heavily armed assailants.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers trailed the victim in another vehicle before blocking his path close to the campus gate. Moments later, at least two gunmen allegedly stepped out and opened fire repeatedly at close range, targeting the driver’s side of the SUV.
Videos circulating online shortly after the incident showed the luxury vehicle riddled with bullet holes, its windshield shattered, while the victim appeared motionless behind the steering wheel.
“It happened within seconds,” a student who witnessed the attack told reporters. “We just heard several gunshots and everybody started running. When people came back, the man was already dead inside the car. They didn’t take anything from him.”
The shooting triggered chaos around the UNIBEN main gate, one of the busiest transit points in Benin City, as students, traders, commercial drivers, and residents fled for safety.
Security operatives later arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area while the victim’s body was evacuated to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for further examination.
Although authorities have yet to confirm a motive, the nature of the attack has fueled speculation that the killing may have been a targeted assassination or linked to cult-related violence, which has remained a recurring security concern around parts of Benin City.
The Edo State Police Command has reportedly deployed tactical teams to the area, while investigators have commenced analysis of surveillance footage from nearby businesses and security cameras around the university corridor.
University authorities also issued an internal security advisory urging students to remain calm and limit unnecessary movement around the Ugbowo gate area pending further investigations.
The incident has reignited concerns over rising insecurity around tertiary institutions in the state, with student groups calling for increased police patrols, improved street lighting, and expanded CCTV coverage along the University-Lagos Road axis.
As of press time, no arrests had been announced, while the gunmen were said to have escaped immediately after the attack.
