A final year student at UNIBEN, Afolayan Simon Awodola, was attacked with a machete by gunmen allegedly sponsored by politicians.

Suspected cultists have attacked an undergraduate student at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Afolayan Simon Awodola, with a machete.

An unnamed source who spoke toSaharaReporters said the unidentified assailants attacked Awododa in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, around 9pm on Saturday.

"They used a cutlass to cut Awodola on the forehead after he tried to fight back," the source said.

"I understand that the assault happened around 9 p.m. on Saturday in Benin," the source told our correspondent over the telephone.

Awodola, reportedly in his final year at UNIBEN, is also the president of the National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS).

The source also said Awodola has been in a running battle with the he Secretary to the Ondo State Government (SSG), Aderotimi Adelola, and the Senior Special Assistant on Youth and Student Affairs to GovernorOlusegun Mimiko, Olumuyiwa Asagunla.

"These two officials have been sponsoring a leadership tussle against Awodola because they said he does not comply with orders,"he said.

"Mr. Asagunla has been fighting against Awodola because they accuse him of not siding with the government in power."

He said Awodola was banned from public functions organized by the Ondo State government while an 18-seater bus donated to NAOSS by the state government was also seized.

The source further alleged that the cultists who attacked the student leader were sponsored by politicians in Ondo because he has "been gathering support for some candidates and organizing students and youths to rally round certain candidates."

Awodola is reportedly receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).