The Edo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force seized two students from the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Samson Kennedy, a second-year Biochemistry student, and Wilfred Emmanuel, a fifth-year Optometry student.
The arrests were made in relation to an alleged event involving their fellow student, Francis Aniude, a 23-year-old final-year Chemistry student who drowned in the Ekosodin River. Kennedy and Emmanuel, who lived near Aniude, allegedly invited him to the Ekosodin River on June 29, 2023, under the guise of sightseeing. Sadly, Aniude drowned on the outing. Following that, the captives ran back to the university campus to report the occurrence.
According to an unnamed student from the Department of Chemistry, “Francis drowned on June 29th in the Ekosodin River, which is located in an off-campus community near the university.” On Saturday, July 1, 2023, his body was discovered by local divers in the town after being announced missing. Blood on his lips and ripped skin around his neck have prompted concerns among his family and relatives, who have ordered an autopsy.”
SP Chidi Nwabuzor, the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, confirmed the occurrence and stated that the two individuals were detained to assist in the police investigation into the circumstances surrounding Francis Aniude’s death.