The immediate past chairman of Etsako East local government council, Suleiman Afegbua was on Thursday morning killed by suspected kidnappers.
The chairman was said to have been shot death by the popular Ogbemudia farm at Iguevbihobo village on his way to Benin-City.
The death of the former council boss came barely five days after the alleged assassinations of a pastor and a woman in Benin- City.
It was gathered that the deceased was among the about 15 persons allegedly kidnapped by the gunmen.
It was alleged that the former chairman was shot by the hoodlums when he attempted to escape from the scene of the attack.
He was said to have died on the spot while other occupants of the vehicles trapped at the scene were also kidnapped and taken to an unknown location.
When contacted Moses Nkombe, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Edo state Police Command who confirmed the incident however ruled out report of abduction.
Nkombe 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 but are responding to treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the state capital.
The PPRO also added that there was no indication that the gunmen were Fulani herdsmen, pointing out that men of the anti robbery squad of the state command have been detailed to comb the bushes within the troubled area.
“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.
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