BENIN CITY-A 26-year-old man has been shot dead in a leadership tussle that engulfed Odighi Community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, yesterday.
Three suspects including one David Okosun aka ‘Flamingo’ who police said has been on their wanted list, have been arrested in connection with the killing.
The victim, John Ogunbadejo, father of two including an infant, was standing beside a road, when bullets fired at the community youths chairman hit him on his chest.
The youths Chairman, Osaro Amayo who sustained bullets wound in his right hand, alleged that he was ambushed by armed supporters of ‘Flamingo’ who opened fire on him while driving in Odighi Community.
He lamented that the deceased died innocently as he had nothing to do with the leadership crisis rocking the community.
Mr Amayo further alleged that one Pa. Uyi Osahenmwinda started parading himself as the Odionwere of the community when the late Odionwere, Pa Roland Amayo, has not been buried.
He stated that Pa. Uyi Osahenmwinda in a bid to impose himself on the community appointed ‘Flamingo’ as the youths Chairman of the community.
The Public Relations Officer for Edo State Police Command DSP Theodore Okafor stated that the arrest of ‘Flamingo’ by operatives of the state police command last Monday night, triggered violence by his armed supporters in Odighi Community.
He said the community has been experiencing a strong divide as the police had severally mediated in the crisis.
He however advised elders to lead exemplary lifestyle and cautioned youths against crime and criminality.
