By Gabriel Enogholase

BENIN—THE ongoing clash between rival cult groups in Benin, Edo State capital, continued yesterday with the killing of one more person.

Five other persons had been killed in the past two weeks, bringing the total number of casualties in the cult war to to six.

The latest killing took place at 13B, New Lagos Road, when a man said to be between 27 and 30 years, simply identified as Patrick, was shot by gunmen in his barbing salon at about 10am.

An eyewitness said the gunmen simply walked into the victim’s salon and shot him at close range.

The eyewitness said: “The first gunman entered and shot him in the head; the second one came and shot him and the third one used his gun to shake the victim (Patrick) to confirm that he was dead.”

The visibly shaken eyewitness, who is the owner of the house where of the victim resided, said he had never witnessed that kind of killing in his life.

“In fact, I collapsed as a result of the incident,” said the 65-year-old witness.

Another witness, who identified himself as Godwin Enofe, lamented the killing and urged security operatives in the state to do something urgently to stem the tide.

He described the victim as jovial and always at peace with everyone in the neighbourhood.

When contacted for reaction, the state police spokesman, DSP Stephen Onwuchei, said he was yet to be furnished with reports on the development.

“For now, I do not want to isolate cases or give out information that is untrue,” he said.