Again, suspected cultists kill hotel manager in gangs’ shootout

Gunmen suspected to be cultists yesterday killed the manager of a hotel belonging to Nigeria’s ex-international footballer, Osaze Odewingie, located at Erediauwa Street, off Upper Sokponba road, Ikpoba-Okha local government area of the Edo State

The hotel manager, Mr. Von Osato Okunkpolor, was killed at about 9:00p.m. on Sunday in Benin City. The deceased was married to a journalist, Mrs. Anita, working for a local tabloid in Bénin City.

Sources at the hotel said the cultists gained access to the hotel premises at about 9:00p.m. and shot Okunkpolor dead.

When contacted, Edo State police spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, said the late Okunkpolor was hit by a bullet in a shootout between two rival cult groups.

Nwabuzor said members of Eiye and Aye engaged in a shootout in the area on Sunday night.

According to him, “the incident is true. A murder occurred at Odemwegie hotel on February 17. The incident was between two secret cult rival group.

“During the process the manager was killed inside the hotel. It was not an armed robbery incident. The body has been deposited at the Bénin Central Hospital mortuary. Our detectives are still investigating the incident,” he added.