Armed with Machete and Axe, Perpetrator Intended to Attack Female Student in Riau Before Thesis Defence

A man, identified as R (21), attacked a female student, identified as F (23), at the Faculty of Sharia Law at the Syarief Kasim Islamic State University (UIN Suska) in Pekanbaru, Riau. Police revealed that the perpetrator had premeditated the attack by bringing a machete and an axe.

“The perpetrator, R, intentionally planned to carry out the assault by bringing a machete and an axe,” said the Head of Public Relations of the Riau Police, Commissioner Zahwani Pandra Arsyad, in Pekanbaru, Thursday (26/2/2026).

The victim was waiting for her thesis defence on the second floor when the perpetrator suddenly attacked and slashed her indiscriminately.

“The perpetrator immediately approached the victim and caused her injuries,” he said.

Thanks to the cooperation of students and campus security, the perpetrator was apprehended. He is currently being intensively questioned at the Bina Widya Police Station.

“Thanks to the cooperation of all parties, the perpetrator was secured and the victim was taken to receive first aid at the Bhayangkara Hospital,” he said.

Motive for the Attack

Commissioner Pandra said that his team is still investigating the motive behind the attack. The initial suspicion is that the perpetrator attacked the victim due to resentment and hurt feelings.

“We will continue to investigate the motive. It is clear that the perpetrator had the intention to carry out the assault with the background of resentment and hurt feelings,” said Pandra.

Pandra said that the perpetrator and the victim knew each other and had a close relationship. However, his team will continue to investigate the motive behind the attack.

The victim is currently receiving treatment at the hospital. She suffered slash wounds to the head and arms.

“There were more than two slash wounds,” he said.

The police have conducted a crime scene investigation at the location. Pandra said that this case will be investigated using scientific crime investigation methods.

(mea/idh)