The Chairman of the Cult Renunciation, Reconciliation, Reformation, Rehabilitation and Interfaith Committee (CR4IC) at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), David Egbenusi, has resigned from the university. 

This resignation came after a final year part-time student of the university was shot dead inside his vehicle at the front of the institution’s main gate on Sunday. 

The student, whose identity has yet to be confirmed, was reportedly trailed by the gunmen driving in another vehicle before he was attacked while in his GLK SUV near the university’s main gate.

The violent killing has been attributed to a suspected cult attack. 

In a copy of his resignation letter dated May 10, 2026, Mr Egbenusi accused the University Chancellor, Edoba Omoregie, of failing to act on security warnings before the killing of the part-time student.

He also accused the management of the school, led by Mr Omoregie, of repeatedly ignoring proposals aimed at combating cultism and restoring safety on the university’s campus. 

“I write with due respect to your office to formally tender my resignation as Chairman of the Cult Renunciation, Reconciliation, Reformation, Rehabilitation and Inter-Faith Committee (CR4IC), with immediate effect. This decision has not been made lightly, but it has been made firmly,” the letter read. 

Mr Egbenusi said, “Since my appointment as chairman of the CR4IC, I have submitted proposals aimed at advancing the committee’s mandate of curbing cultism, promoting reconciliation, and restoring peace within this institution. 

“To date, those proposals have not received the institutional response or implementation necessary for the committee to function with any meaningful effect. 

“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.”

He explained that he had earlier received a video footage related to suspected cult activity on the university’s campus and allegedly sent the clip to Mr Omoregie. 

He added, “Earlier today, I received a clip related to suspected cult activity on this campus. Acting in the spirit of my committee mandate and in the interest of the safety of this institution’s community, I forwarded it to you, sir, with the message: ‘Good afternoon, dear VC. I just got this clip. I suppose it may be useful for your decisions and necessary action.”

He added that two hours later, sporadic gunshots were heard around the Chapel Vicarage area on campus before more disturbing videos emerged showing a deadly cult clash.

He stated that shortly after, he received two further clips showing a violent cult confrontation in which a person was killed in front of the school gate along the express road. 

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

Mr Egbenusi alleged that the vice chancellor, rather than responding to the security emergency, vehemently reacted with threats and intimidation. 

“Within minutes, you telephoned me. The nature of that call was not commensurate with the gravity of the security situation I had brought to your attention,” he said. 

He said the VC called furiously, demanding that the video clip documenting the deadly incident be deleted. 

“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. 

“You threatened to report me to the head of the Anglican Communion should I fail to comply. You threatened to deploy university security personnel to remove me from the Chapel Vicarage. You invited me to ‘dare’ you as the Vice Chancellor, Mr Egbenusi added. 

Several efforts to get the reaction of the VC proved abortive. 

The university spokesperson, Benedicta Ehanire, also did not immediately respond to calls. 

Ms Ehanire had earlier promised that the university would issue an official statement over the killing at the entrance of the institution’s campus, but she has yet to do so as of press time.