Gunmen kill retired oil worker in Benin

The victim who was said to be a retired staff of a multi national oil company based in Delta state, was shot dead in the evening of Friday, along Siluko road.

He was said to be returning home in company of his family and his son when the incident occurred.

Witnesses said the deceased was in a white Toyota Hilux van with his family when a group of armed men suddenly emerged from a black Toyota Highlander and shot him at close range.

He was said to have been shot in the head while his son reportedly sustained gunshot injuries.

The ‎incident attracted a crowd of sympathisers as the distraught wife of the deceased screamed for help.

It was also learnt that a pump-action gun was found at the back seat of the deceased’s vehicle.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Nkombe, who confirmed the incident to journalists on phone, dismissed speculations that the killing was cult related, adding that it may have been a case of assassination.

Nkombe however said that the son of the deceased was responding to treatment while the wife was unhurt.

He said: “Yes, somebody was shot yesterday (Friday). The body was taken to a morgue. Investigation is on.

“They (assailants) did not stop; they just shot him and continued the movement. So, we are on the trail of the suspects now; the police are investigating.

‎”The man was a retired Shell worker. It is like a case of an assassination; they did not stop. They just shot him.”

Jethro Ibileke/Benin