Gunmen suspected to be cultists on Saturday shot dead a motor park manager in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The victim, simply identified as AK, was said to be on duty when the gunmen stormed the motor park and shot him at close range.
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A source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that the shooting caused panic as passengers and other bystanders at the park scampered for safety.
The source, who decried the killing, described the deceased as “very kind, accommodating, peaceful, and humble and one who focused on work and family.”
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NAN reports that the shooting occurred amidst escalating tension in Auchi and its environs over a reported dispute between two rival cult groups – Aye and Vikings confraternities.
It was gathered that the dispute was exacerbated by the reported attempt on the life of the Aye leader in Uzarue community, near Auchi.
Members of Aye were said to have accused the rival group, a development that purportedly triggered a retaliation.
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Moses Yamu, the police spokesperson in Edo, on Sunday, confirmed the incident.
Mr Yamu, a chief superintendent of police, said: “Yes, the command is aware of it (killing).
“The corpse has been deposited at the hospital while efforts are on to arrest the fleeing assailants.”
Edo has been notorious for cultism and cult-related killings.
The police said in November last year that the spate of cult violence and the proliferation of arms in the state was worrisome.
READ ALSO: One killed as security operatives, gunmen engage in 7-hour shootout
The then-Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo, while announcing a ban on the activities of Okaigheles (youth leader) in Edo South District, June last year, in a renewed effort to tackle the menace, said the state at some point lost 150 people in five months to cult-related clashes.
Mr Obaseki’s successor, Monday Okpebholo, said in November last year that the state loses over $1 billion worth of investments annually because of cult-related violence.
Mr Okpebholo, just like his predecessor, has declared war on cultism, but the government’s efforts seem to yield little or no success as the killings continued.
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