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.

Vanguard Newspaper reports 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.”