Samson Kennedy and Wilfred Emmanuel, both University of Benin, Edo State students, have been detained, according to the Edo State Police Command, after the bruised body of their colleague Francis Aniude was found in the Ekosodin River in the Ekosodin community, close to the Ugbowo campus of the university.
The suspects are supporting the command in the continuing investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death, according to state police public relations officer SP Chidi Nwabuzor, who verified the development.
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Aniude was allegedly encouraged to go swimming in the river by the suspects on June 29, according to a student who wished to remain anonymous out of fear of being victimised.
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.
