Gunmen kill Edo community leader

A 66-year-old community head in Ugbowo area of Benin City in Edo State was on Saturday night killed by gunmen who invaded his residence.

The deceased, John Asemota, was the Odionwere (Clan Head) of Power-line community at Ugbowo.
The gunmen, seven in number, were said to have attacked the late Mr. Asemota’s residence at about 9:30 p.m. and shot him in the head and back.



The deceased person’s son, Osemudiamen Asemota, said three of his father’s tenants were also shot.
He said his father died on the spot, while his tenants were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, where they were receiving treatment.

Osemudiamen said the incident was reported at the Ogbowo Divisional Police Headquarters which responded promptly by coming to the scene shortly after the incident occurred.

“It was the police that took my father’s body to the mortuary, while they also rushed those were shot to hospital for medical attention.”

He, however, ruled out possibility of robbery, alleging that his father was killed over community issues.

Some of officers at the Ogbowo Divisional Police Headquarters confirmed the murder, but refused to comment on the incident.

Pleading anonymity, one of the officers who was drafted to the scene of the incident said the matter would be handled appropriately.
(NAN)