BENIN CITY-Traders, buyers and passersby at Oliha market by TV road axis in Benin City abandoned their wares and scampered for safety when gunmen suspected to be cultists gunned down a young man yesterday afternoon.
It was learnt that the victim identified as Godbless Olitan, a technician said to be in his early twenties was chased by his assailants who eventually finished him behind house 58, Ore-Oghene Street, Oliha quarters, Benin City.
The two gunshots earlier fired at the boy who was standing in front of a shop at the beginning of Ore-Oghene Street by the market, triggered the pandemonium about 1:32pm.
When our reporter visited the scene shortly after the unfortunate incident, owners of some shops were yet to return from their refugee as shoes, foodstuffs and other goods trampled upon during the confusion, littered the ground.
A strangely dressed woman suspected to be mentally deranged was seen smiling as she gently picked and consumed some fresh amples in a shade after the owner forcefully abandoned it.
Some traders and residents of the area thronged the fresh blood-stained spot where the victim was killed as policemen from Oba market police station evacuated the corpse.
It was observed that a wall fence behind the building prevented the victim from escaping his killers.
The three-man gang was said to have operated in a Toyota Camry with a taxi beacon on its roof apparently to beat security.
A visit to the deceased family residence at 6, Basuaye Street, Off Ore-Oghene Street, Benin City revealed that the boy was with his father that afternoon when he received a phone call that a costumer was waiting for him at his store along Siluko road, near the market.
Attempt to obtain comments from his father failed as he was said to have gone to central hospital mortuary in Benin City.
The Public Relations Officer for Edo Police Command DSP Chidi Nwabuzor could not be reached for comment.
However, police sources said the killing was cult related as cultists have been on rampage in the state capital for the past few days.
