Four students from Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State have tragically lost their lives in recent cult clashes.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, confirmed the incident and announced the arrest of several suspected perpetrators. Additionally, dangerous weapons, including AK-47 rifles and automatic pump-action guns, were recovered from the suspects.
Adegboye stated, “We are actively dealing with the situation; we have made several arrests in relation to the cult violence. We have successfully detained some suspects, seized an AK-47, and arrested a suspect today. We currently have six individuals in custody, and our efforts will not diminish.”
He also emphasized the determination to create an unwelcoming environment for criminals, particularly in Auchi. Recent arrest of individuals carrying AK-47s and the confiscation of one of the weapons have been highlighted as significant blows to criminal activities in the area.
One of the victims, a final year student from the Department of Engineering, was fatally attacked while preparing to ride a motorcycle to school for his final examination. Additionally, two other students lost their lives on separate occasions while on their way to the university for their second-semester exams. The clashes also resulted in the death of one suspected cult member, and a female student sustained gunshot wounds from stray bullets while heading to the school for exams.
The injured student received prompt medical attention. It has been disclosed that two of the deceased individuals were final year students heading to the school to sit for their final year exams when they were fatally attacked by members of the cult.