…more killings after broadcaster’s murder in Benin
…policeman kills colleague to free suspect
Benin City, the Edo State capital, at Christmas witnessed unforgettable bloodbaths as unknown gunmen took to the streets brazenly killing several targeted persons including an ace broadcaster Mr. Hillary Nosa-Odia a.k.a Chameleon.
Also, a police inspector, Jonathan Okouromi allegedly shot dead his colleague, one Sergeant Abosele Akhere, for daring to apprehend a wanted suspect, during a police raid of the suspect’s hideout in Benin City on Christmas eve.
A usually dependable source said the policeman after raining bullets on his colleague, escaped with the victim’s gun.
The wanted suspect was said to have also escaped from other operatives who stormed his hideout in the Ugbowo area of Benin.
The killings started barely three weeks after the Commissioner of police in Edo State, CP Mohammed Dankwara vowed to make the state uncomfortable for criminals and their allies terrorising residents of the state.
Our investigations indicate that the gunmen who dared security agencies in Benin City, either trailed their victims or invaded their locations to unleash violence on them.
The broadcaster, Mr. Hillary Nosa-Odia of the Independent Radio/Television Station, Benin, was shot dead where he was socialising with friends at Esigie Street, Benin City, about 7:37pm, Sunday, December 24, 2023.
It was gathered that the gunmen had walked straight to him in the gathering, opened fire on him point blank forcing his friends to scamper to different directions.
It was gathered that when his friends returned to the scene a few minutes after the shooting, the presenter was seen writhing in pool of blood and was confirmed dead at a nearby hospital shortly after.
It was further gathered that Mr. Hillary Nosa-Odia was invited to the scene, to be a guest at the birthday party of a lady, which took place in front of her mini supermarket along Esigie Street, Benin City.
The scene, 52, Esigie Street, between Second and Third East Circular Road, Benin City, over a kilometre away from Esigie Police Divisional Headquarters, Benin, was later seen under lock and key.
Our correspondent later found that the scene is not a beer parlour, as was earlier speculated in some quarters.
It was also gathered that the deceased did not engage in any form of quarrel with anyone at the scene of murder or outside it.
He is described as a jovial and jolly-good-fellow who was a crew member of both the Good Morning Nigeria and Rush Hour programmes on ITV and Independent Radio, Benin City.
It was further learnt that no other member of the Odia family has been similarly murdered, contrary to speculations by a national daily.
The killing of Hillary Odia last Christmas eve replicated that of Joshua Edeghagba, a security reporter for Radio Nigeria, Benin in 2012 and Lawrence Okojie of NTA, Benin in 2017.
Joshua Edeghagba was shot dead by gunmen who waylaid him a few metres away from his residence, Off Mission Road, Benin City.
Lawrence Okojie was similarly gunned down by armed men who accosted him close to his house at Oguola Street, Benin City while returning from work.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo State Council, has charged security agencies in the state to unravel the circumstances surrounding the murder of Odia.
The NUJ in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, and Secretary, Mr. Andy Egbon also commiserated with the management and staff of Independent Television and Radio over the death of Odia.
Also, the management of Independent Radio and Television has issued a statement announcing the passing of Odia.
The statement signed by the Managing Director of the broadcast station, Engr. Elvis Obaseki, urged the Police, DSS and other security agencies in the state to carry out a thorough investigation into the brutal killing and arrest the culprits.
According to the statement, the broadcast station will continue to support the security agencies in their investigation.
The Edo State Police Command has likewise issued a statement saying that it is aware of the killings and secret cult fighting in Benin metropolis.
The command also said it recently lost an officer during a cult related operation at Ugbowo axis on December 24, 2023.
Chidi Nwabuzor, Public Relations Officer for Edo State Police Command, stated this in a statement made available to journalists in Benin City.
“The Command is sincerely and vigorously fighting this crime and wishes to put it to an end for the state to be peaceful for all. Its efforts in fighting against secret cult members or to stop the killings are shown in the loss of one of its personnel during an operation in the Ugbowo axis on the 24th of December, 2023.
“Nevertheless, a sizeable number of arrests of the secret cult members of various cult groups have been made in different locations in the state and the suspects will soon be charged to court for prosecution.
“In view of the above, CP Mohammed Adamu Dankwara, the Commissioner Of Police Edo State, appeals to the good people of Edo State to remain calm and go about their Christmas celebration”, SP Nwabuzor said.
