BENIN CITY-Fear has continued to grip residents of Benin over cases of gruesome killings being recorded in the state capital.
No fewer than 20 persons including four commercial bus drivers, two brothers, an octogenarian along with his sister have been reportedly gunned down and a little boy abducted in the violence which erupted few weeks ago.
The residents expressed fears that the casualty figure may continue to climb due to police failure to carry out their duties.
Investigation revealed that since the carnage on some police facilities and personnel during the #EndSARS protest hijacked by hoodlums a fortnight ago, police are yet to return to their duty post as directed by their boss, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu in Abuja.
It was gathered that the rampaging armed gangs are catching in on the situation to settle protracted scores.
Sources revealed that the bus driver identified simply as Eghosa shot dead behind the steering wheel at new Benin market few days ago, had unresolved issue with a butcher while he was working in an abattoir at Ikpoba slop, Benin City.
The butcher (name withheld), was alleged to have led his gang members, two of whom pretended to be passengers, paid the victim to take them to a spot where they shot him to death.
It was further learnt that the octogenarian Pa Onaiwu Igbinosa, 71 and his sister Mrs Ekhator Roseline were gruesomely murdered over the killing of a community youth leader identified as Mr Akpan Ighodaro in 2014.
Pa Onaiwu Igninosa, 71 played host to his visiting sister Mrs Ekhator Roseline and her daughter-in-law when the gunmen invaded his private residence at 5, Obasogie Avenue, Ogida quarters, Benin City on October 10, 2020.
Two nephews of late Pa Onaiwu Igbinosa identified as Osawaru Andrew Osayomore Ekhator now at large were reportedly fingered in the killing of Mr Akpan Ighodaro.
It was gathered that the Ekhator family had been receiving threats from the late Mr Akpan’s gang since the unfortunate incident occurred.
A neighbor of late Pa Onaiwu who preferred anonymity hinted our reporter that the killings may not be unconnected with the murder of the community leader.
It stated that late Mrs Ekhator Roseline who a doctor in a hospital confirmed to have died of bullet wounds in her abdominal region, may have been familiar with a member of the gang as someone overheard her conversed with a member of the gang before the shooting.
The residents who expressed worries included chief Edigin, Senator Isibor, prof Otasowie Airuoyuwa and Apostle Ogbonmwan.
They decried what they termed “let them kill themselves attitude” of the Nigeria Police personnel towards the killings.
The residents called on the police and other security agencies to intervene in the interest of innocent members of the public.
Contacted, the police spokesman in Edo State SP Chidi Nwabuzor said the attack on Ogida police station by hoodlums during the #EndSARS violent protest had affected police activities in the areas.
He however described as unfortunate the role of the locals in assisting the police with intelligence that would promote security of lives and property.
However, a source at Ogida police divisional headquarters in charge of the area disclosed that the killings of Pa Onaiwu with late Mrs Ekhator and the subsequent abduction of the little boy may have be made possible by an insider.
Other areas that have also suffered similar fate included Evbomore, Upper Sokponba, Uwasota, Mission road, Ibiwe, Ugbowo and Upper Mission Extension all in Benin City.
