#JusticeForUwa has been trending in Nigeria after the grisly murder of a university student who was studying in a church in southwestern Edo State.

Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, a female microbiology student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo, was found lying in a pool of blood at a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG.

She had apparently gone to the premises to study ahead of resumption of academic activities. Local media reports say her murderers – still at large – attacked and raped her in the church after knocking her unconscious, they add that her head was smashed with a fire extinguisher.

Reacting, the church confirmed that the deceased had collected keys to the parish on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 “as she had been doing since the lockdown began, for use for her private educational studies.

“On the said date, when the night guard at the church resumed duties a little after 7 pm, he found the lady on the floor in the church hall half-naked and in a pool of her blood,” a statement on Sunday said.

The Church statement condemned the action and joined calls for swift probe. “As a church, we are deeply touched and condemn in absolute terms this evil visited on an innocent girl as we have equally condemned any act of violence and abuse against women.

“We’re consulting the appropriate authorities to ensure that an extensive investigation is carried out in line with the position already expressed by the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki. The culprit(s) face the full weight of the law and justice is done regardless of who is involved,” the statement added.