Gunmen (file photo)

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers struck again on Thursday in Edo state, killing a former chairman of Etsako East local government area of the state, Mr. Suleiman Afegbua.

Afegbua who was said to be traveling to Benin, the state capital, was said to have been waylaid at Ogbemudia farms, Iguevbihobo village, along the busy Benin-Auchi-Okene highway.

It was gathered that the armed men had stopped many of the motorists plying the highway and searched all occupants of the vehicles after the victims laid face down on the road.

Afegbua was said to have been shot when he was alleged to have attempted to escape from the scene of the attack and died on the spot while the other two occupants were said to have sustained gunshot injuries and receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

Sources said that the late Afegbua was on his way to Benin City on invitation by the state governor over opposition of some persons in his local government who are said to be opposing the take-off of a fertiliser plant in the local government area.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Moses Nkombe, who confirmed the incident, said the victims were travelling in a convoy when the armed men ambushed them at the spot and shot at them in the process.

He explained that the ex-council chairman died at the spot while two others sustained gunshot injuries, adding that men of the anti robbery squad of the state command have been detailed to comb the bushes within the troubled area.

Nkombe however denied reports that the assailants went away with some of their victims.

“There was no indication of any abduction and no such indication that they are Fulani herdsmen. Police Tactical Team of the state command, anti robbery squad are on top of the situation and have been deployed to comb the bushes around the area,” he said.