BARELY 24 hours after a popular Benin musician, Osayomore Joseph, was abducted by suspected kidnappers, a senior lecturer at the University of Benin, UNIBEN, Professor Paul Otasowie, was shot dead, Wednesday night.
The professor at the Faculty of Engineering was shot after he drove into his house, located off Siluko Road, Benin.
It was learned that the assailants, who shot sporadically to scare away people before killing the Professor, did not collect any item from their victim.
The Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr. Michael Osasuyi, when contacted on the incident, said the institution was yet to get the full details of what transpired from the deceased family.
Osasuyi described the professor’s death as a huge loss to the university community, lamenting that the deceased was a hardworking and dedicated staff.
He said: “For now, the university cannot ascertain what had transpired. But we are sending delegates to the house to meet with the family. We commiserate with the family and it is a big blow to the university.
“He was one of the persons who have ensured that work is done and done well.”
He noted, however, that the institution was concerned about the level of insecurity in the state.
“The Vice Chancellor commiserates with the family and the school is mourning,” he added.
Reacting also, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Moses Nkombe, said three suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing.
He disclosed that it was a neighbour of the dead Professor Osatowie that alerted the Police on the killing, adding that nothing was removed from him after the incident.
Nkombe added: “So our men are investigating the incident to ascertain whether they are robbers or kidnappers.”
Osayomore still missing
Meanwhile, there is anxiety over the whereabouts of veteran Edo State-born musician, Mr. Joseph Osayomore, who was kidnapped by gunmen four days ago, in Benin, the state capital.
Vanguard , however, learned that the wife who was shot while pleading with the gunmen to leave her husband alone, is responding well to treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
It was gathered that the wife was responding to treatment “but we have been warned not to speak to anyone in order not to jeopardise the safety of our brother,” a family source, who craved anonymity, told Vanguard .
Vanguard also learned that they have become apprehensive as the abductors were yet to establish contact.
The Edo State Police Command, through its spokesman, Moses Nkombe, said the Command was doing all it could to secure the release of the musician.
Recall that the veteran musician was abducted on Tuesday night by gunmen at about 10p.m. at Orovie village, off Upper Ekewan Road in Egor Local Government Area.
Police reaction
Reacting to the abduction of Osayomore on Wednesday, Edo Police spokesman, DSP Moses Nkombe, said Police received report about the abduction at about 11p.m.
DSP Nkombe said security operatives had been drafted to hot spots across the state.
He assured that the Police will do its best to secure the release of Osayomore.
Source: Vanguardngr
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