Gunmen kill two in Edo

From Usman A. Bello, Benin

A salon owner and a 23-yearold student have been killed by gunmen suspected to be cultists in Edo State.

It was gathered that the salon owner, whose name was yet to be ascertained, was killed yesterday in Idumwunowina area on the Benin-Lagos road in Ovia North East Area of the state.

It was further gathered the deceased was killed at about 8am when he opened for the day’s business.

It was learnt that three gunmen arrived at the shop on a motorcycle and shot him dead before escaping.

Security operatives from Ugbowo and Ekiadolor police divisions reportedly stormed the scene to track down the culprits but to no avail.

Also, the 23-year-old National Diploma student of Department of Accounting, Auchi Polytechnic, identified as Emmanuel Aronokhale, was allegedly shot dead by gunmen in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

The victim, who hailed from Okpella in Estako East Local Government Area of the state, was alleged to have been killed at about 8pm on Tuesday at his Auchi residence in Second Bawak.

It was gathered that the deceased was sitting in front of the hostel with his fellow students when gunmen stormed the area and ordered them into their various rooms where they were robbed of money and mobile phones.

The deceased was said to have been shot dead by the gunmen at the hostel located off campus.

When contacted on phone on the incident, the police spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, said he was not aware of the development.