UNIBEN Anti-Cultism Chairman Resigns After Student’s Killing, Accuses VC of Ignoring Security Warnings

The chairman of the Cult Renunciation, Reconciliation, Reformation, Rehabilitation and Interfaith Committee (CR4IC) at University of Benin, David Egbenusi, has resigned from his position following the fatal shooting of a final-year part-time student near the institution’s main gate.

The student, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, was reportedly attacked on Sunday by suspected gunmen who allegedly trailed him in another vehicle before opening fire on him inside his GLK SUV close to the university entrance.

The killing has since been linked to a suspected cult-related attack, sparking renewed concerns over security and cult violence within the university community.

In a resignation letter dated May 10, 2026, Egbenusi accused the university’s Vice Chancellor, Edoba Omoregie, of failing to act on repeated security warnings and proposals aimed at curbing cultism on campus.

According to him, several recommendations submitted by the committee to tackle cult-related activities were repeatedly ignored by the university management.

“A committee whose considered recommendations are consistently left unaddressed ceases to be an instrument of change and risks becoming a veneer of institutional seriousness in the face of a menace that demands genuine action,” part of the letter read.

Egbenusi further claimed that shortly before the deadly incident, he received video footage allegedly linked to cult activity on campus and forwarded it to the Vice Chancellor in hopes of prompting immediate action.

He stated that hours later, gunshots erupted around the Chapel Vicarage area before more disturbing videos surfaced showing a violent cult clash that allegedly left one person dead near the school gate.

“Once again, acting entirely in good faith and in fulfilment of my duty as chairman of the CR4IC, I immediately forwarded those clips,” he wrote.

The former committee chairman also alleged that instead of responding to the security concerns, the Vice Chancellor reacted angrily and allegedly threatened him over the circulation of the videos.

According to Egbenusi, Omoregie demanded that the footage be deleted immediately and allegedly issued threats involving university security personnel and church authorities.

“You issued a countdown ultimatum, beginning at five minutes, which you then reduced to three minutes, and then to two, within which you required me to delete the materials,” the letter stated.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Vice Chancellor were unsuccessful as of press time.

The university’s spokesperson, Benedicta Ehanire, also did not respond to calls, although she had earlier indicated that an official statement regarding the killing would be released.