A UK-based Nigerian student, Khaleed Oladipo, has died after being stabbed near De Montfort University in Leicester, British police have confirmed.
Leicestershire Police identified Oladipo as the 20-year-old victim who was attacked on Oxford Street, close to the university campus.
He was rushed to hospital on Tuesday evening but later died from his injuries.
Police said officers were called shortly after 5:00 pm GMT following reports that a man had collapsed near the junction of Oxford Street and Bonners Lane.
Several surrounding roads were closed as emergency services responded to the incident.
A post-mortem examination revealed that Oladipo died from a stab wound to the chest.
An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody while investigations continue.
Oladipo, who was originally from London, was a second-year student at De Montfort University, where he was studying cyber-security. His family described him as “a good boy who loved his family” and said they were devastated by his death.
“We cannot begin to put into words how sad we are to have lost Khaleed,” the family said in a statement quoted by the BBC.
They added that he was a passionate football fan and an ardent supporter of Arsenal Football Club.
According to the family, Oladipo was believed to be on his way home to watch a football match when he was attacked.
“We believe he was on his way home to watch the game later that night when he was stabbed and killed,” they said.
The family expressed gratitude to members of the public who attempted to assist Oladipo at the scene, as well as to ambulance and hospital staff who tried to save his life.
They also thanked the police for their efforts in investigating the incident.
“We are struggling to understand why anyone would do this,” the family added, while calling for justice to be served.
Reacting to the incident, the Vice-Chancellor of De Montfort University, Professor Katie Normington, said she was “devastated” by Oladipo’s death. She confirmed that the university was providing direct support to students, staff and the victim’s family.
“Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by what has happened,” she said.
Police have appealed to members of the public with information that could assist the investigation to come forward as inquiries continue.
