By: Emmanuel kahinde.

An undergraduate has been shot dead and a building set ablaze in what appears to be a case of mistaken identity after gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen, invaded Iguelaba community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

The tragic incident occurred at about 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 9, 2025, at No. 4, Ajoki Street, Iguelaba Village.

Community sources said the attackers sneaked into the area under the cover of darkness, stormed a residence, and opened fire without resistance.

The victim, 21-year-old Augustine Izogie, a student of Delta State University, Abraka, was reportedly shot at close range. After the attack, the assailants allegedly placed an identity card belonging to Izogie Osamudiamen, said to be a farm manager, on the victim’s chest before fleeing the scene.

Findings by our correspondent during a visit to the community revealed that Augustine had travelled to Iguelaba to spend time with his mother, who recently relocated to the area following sustained threats from unknown persons.

The building has been reduced to rumbles when our correspondent visited, yesterday.

The victim’s distraught mother, Mrs. Izogie Rebecca Oghomwenotiti, recounted the horrifying moment the gunmen struck. She said she and her son were sitting in front of the house when two armed men suddenly emerged.

Speaking with a Northern Nigerian accent, the gunmen reportedly pointed their weapons at Augustine and said, “Kai, you! I dey run since,” before shooting him.

“He is not Osamudiamen, who Fulani herdsmen have been looking for since 2022 when he was in Ukhiri Village. Augustine is his younger brother who only came to spend the weekend with me. He planned to return to school next week. I am finished,” she sobbed.

A neighbour, who requested anonymity, said she had earlier noticed unfamiliar men loitering in the area hours before the attack.

“They said they were looking for a farmer who recently moved into the village, but they could not pronounce the name. When the shooting started, everyone ran for safety. The gunmen carried out their plan without any challenge. I have never been so terrified,” she said.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, CSP Moses Joel Yamu, described the attack as horrifying and said a manhunt had been launched for the perpetrators.

“The Iguelaba Police Division received the report and notified the state command headquarters in Benin. The Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, has ordered a manhunt for the attackers and expressed the command’s condolences to the family of the undergraduate, who was killed in what investigators have confirmed to be a brutal case of mistaken identity,” Yamu stated.