BENIN CITY- A middle aged man has been shot dead by gunmen who attacked sports viewing centre in Benin City.

The armed men suspected to be robbers stormed the busy viewing centre on Otoghile Street, Off Orosanye Street, Okhoro, Benin City, about 9:15pm, last Tuesday, as one of the robbers opened fire on the man while others dispossessed the centre operator and his customers of cash and valuables.

The viewing centre was under lock and key when our reporter visited last Wednesday.

A resident said the about six gunmen may have anticipated and waited for the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to put off power supply to the area as the gunmen struck few minutes after power off in the area.

The victim was identified as OZ, a professional bus driver, the son of a landlord popularly known as MEXICO in the area.

It was further gathered that operatives of Okhoro Police Division later arrived the scene and took the victim’s corpse away after interrogating the landlord and some victims of the operation.

A dependable source at Okhoro Police Station said two suspects have been arrested in connection with the sports viewing centre attack.

Attempts to obtain comment from the Commissioner of Police in Edo State Mr Haliru Gwandu failed.

It will be recalled that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), zone 5, Mr Mohammed Abubakar Adamu in his maiden meeting with the three Commissioners of police in Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States, under his zone, recently, directed them to ensure adequate security of lives and property during and after the yuletide in their states.