Murder: Armed Men Kill Community Leader

Tragedy struck in Ugbowo community when a 60-year-old community head was brutally murdered in cold-blood at his residence by gunmen in Benin City.

The deceased, Mr John Asemota, was the Odionwere, the leader of Powerline community at Ugbowo.

The gunmen, seven in number, were said to have stormed the residence of the community head at about 9:30pm and opened fire on him in the presence of his family members.

The deceased’s son, Mr Osemudiamen Asemota, who narrated the incident to the newsmen, said three of his father’s tenants also sustained bullet wounds.

He said while his father died at the spot, his tenants were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) where they are presently 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.

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

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

A police source at the Ogbowo Divisional Police station confirmed the incident but refused to make further comment.

Though he pleaded anonymity, one of the officer who was drafted to the scene of the incident, said the matter would be handled appropriately.