Edo: Barber, Others Shot Dead In Cult War

Patrick, a 27-year-old barber, was on Tuesday morning shot dead at his shop along New Lagos Road in Benin City, the Edo State capital. Over 12 persons have been killed in a renewed cult war in Benin City and environs since last Friday. Based on what was gathered, the cult war was caused by a disagreement at a polling centre in the city during the March 28 general election in which a member of one of the cult groups was beaten to death. Besides the barber, another youth was killed at about 7:00am at Second East Circular. As stated by madam Philomena Evbuomwan a 65-year-old wood seller, who witnessed the killing of Patrick, Patrick was killed by three gunmen who ensured he was dead before they left. She said, "I was selling wood when Patrick greeted me. I later sat with him. Suddenly, three boys walked towards us. One pointed a gun at my head and later dropped it. He shot Patrick. The other one also fired a shot. The third person took his gun and tapped Patrick, when he saw that he was dead, they ran away. After that I fainted."