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 Aniude, was recovered from the Ekosodin River in the Ekosodin community, near the Ugbowo campus of the institution.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the development to our correspondent, 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.
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