Ekosodin River: Controversy Trails Death Of UNIBEN Final-Year Student, As Police Arrest Two

Controversy has surrounded the unfortunate death of Mr. Francis Anuide, the 23-year-old final year Chemistry student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), who drowned in the Ekosodin River located in an off-campus community near the school, on Thursday.

His body was recovered by local divers in the community on Saturday July 1.

However, the discovery of blood on the lips and peeling of skin around the neck region of the victim raised suspicion amongst family members and relatives who demanded for an autopsy.

Meanwhile, the remains of the undergraduate have been deposited at the morgue for autopsy, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) alongside the two surviving colleagues of the victim for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two students of the University of Benin, Edo State, Samson Kennedy and Wilfred Emmanuel, after the bruised corpse of their colleague, Francis was found.

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The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the development, said the suspects were assisting the command in the ongoing investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death.

A student who craved anonymity for fear of victimisation said the suspects reportedly invited Aniude for a swim in the river when he allegedly drowned on June 29.

The student added, “After the deceased got drowned, the duo ran back to the Ekosodin community to seek the help of the community and vigilance members but the deceased died before help could come his way.

“The corpse was recovered from the river on July 1 by local divers. The two students were arrested following the discovery of blood on the deceased’s lips and peeled skin around his neck region which raised suspicion amongst family members and relatives who are demanding an autopsy.”

Nwabuzor said the case was reported at the Ugbowo Police Station, adding that the Divisional Police Officer and his men led a team of local divers to the scene of the incident.

“Luckily enough, they were able to recover the body. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigations.

“Two persons were arrested because they went together to swim in that river when the ugly incident occurred. Arresting them is very important so that we can know what made them leave their hostel and go to that river at that time and what happened right there in the river,” Nwabuzor said.