The killings were recorded in Eweka Street, First and Second East Circular, Muchceche in Upper Sonkponba road and New Benin area of the state capital.
One of the victims identified simply as ‘Baba Connect’ who allegedly made some whooping amount of Dollars through internet fraud after he returned from fruitless trip abroad was killed inside his car by the rampaging gunmen who waylaid and rained bullets on him.
Investigation revealed that the gunmen did not take a pin after killing their victims an indication that the motive was not robbery.
Checks at the state police command headquarters last weekend revealed that several arrests of persons suspected to be cultists, killing members of rival groups, have been made.
The Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Johnson Kokumo confirmed deployment of tactical teams and arrests.
“Cultists were on rampage. We made adequate deployment to key areas, a sizable number of the cultists have been arrested and a reasonable number of their arms and ammunition have been recovered.”
The yet-to-be identified woman was said to have been kidnapped on Ogiefa Street, off Mission road, Benin City, yesterday.
Sources said she was on her way to attend morning Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Mission road in the state capital when gunmen who laid ambush ordered her into a waiting vehicle as they sped off immediately.
The news of the kidnap sent shock waves to many members of the congregation when an Assistant Parish Priests, Rev. Fr. Mark Okoh, announced it. But the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, debunked the allegation.
“That (alleged kidnap) is not correct. I do not know where people get this unfounded rumor,” CP Johnson Kokumo stated.
However, some residents lamented that the area had become a hot spot for criminals who unleashed terror on unsuspecting passers-by.
A resident who did not want to be named stated that another victim was dispossessed of her belongings by some suspected armed robbers on the same day.
“I heard people shouting, ‘Thief! Thief!’ The high level of insecurity in this area is too much. When it is not 7am, many of the residents do not come out of their homes. Once it is 7pm, you will hardly find people around.
“The lady was taken away. At that time, I had finished preparing my goods but I was afraid to come out.” The resident stated.
