BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Gunmen have again allegedly killed three persons including a member of the Edo State Security Network, (ESSN) at Ekiadolor Community in Ovia North-East local government area of Edo State, Nigeria.
The bloodbath occurred around the market square between 6 o’clock and 7:45a.m today, triggering protest by Mini bus drivers who appealed to security agencies to beef up security in the locality.
Dependable sources revealed to Alltimepost.com that the only survivor of the attack identified as Bright Oviawe, a driver, has been hospitalized after he was shot twice and seriously wounded.
It was scooped that the deceased vigilante member identified as Jude Aikhionbare, 43 was returning from night duty when his assailants opened fire on him around market square at Ekiadolor Community.
The other two victims were identified as Felix Ighodaro and Aza Mani, Mini bus drivers in the locality.
The younger brother of the only survivor Mr. Uhunoma Oviawe said the attackers operated in a blue Toyota Camry.
“My brother told me that the former CDA chairman of Ekowe Community, Endurance Edohen called my brother Bright that he should come so that they settled the issue of the land he sold to him at Ekowe Community. I went with my brother this morning.
“As we were waiting, I left my brother to eat in a nearby restaurant, suddenly a Toyota Camry came, Endurance came out of the car and shot my brother in the hand and leg”. Uhonoma Oviawe said.
He further identified the victims of the attack as indegienes of Ekiadolor Community.
One of the alleged gunmen Mr. Endurance Edohen could not be reached at press time. Efforts will be made to obtain his response.
Today’s attack came barely one month after yet-to-be unmasked gunmen invaded and killed six persons including three vigilante members at Okhunmwun Community on October 21.
Both communities are less than 25 kilometres apart on the Benin-Lagos Expressway in the same local government area.
Confirming the attack, the Public Relations Officer for Edo State police Command SP Chidi Nwabuzor said about 7000hrs, the Divisional Police Officer of Ekiadolor Police division received a distress call that gunmen operating in a Toyota Camry invaded the Community.
He said that the DPO swiftly mobilized his men to the area as the corpse of one Jude Aikhionbare killed by the rampaging gunmen was seen and evacuated to mortuary.
The killings so far reported in the two communities are yet to be linked authoritatively.
Meanwhile, residents of Ekiadolor have appealed to Edo State government and relevant security agencies to intervene before it escalates as Ekiadolor Community hosts higher institution.
