By Gabriel Enogholase
BENIN—A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, Ahmad Inu-Umoru, has been shot dead by suspected cultists in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State. He was the son of late Alhaji Inu Umoru, former Chairman of Setraco Construction Company Ltd., and financier of PDP in Edo North.

The victim, said to be in his early 20s, was reportedly shot on the head along Warrake Road, Auchi, last week and was rushed to Irrua Specialist Hospital. He was then referred to University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH. The young Inu-Umoru was confirmed dead on Friday at UBTH.

Although the circum-stances surrounding his shooting were unclear at press time, Vanguard, however, gathered that rivalry between cult groups in Auchi had assumed a new dimension in recent times.

It was learnt that there had been complaints in Auchi community that ex-cultists were favoured by the employment policy of Fedral Polytechnic, Auchi, which had engaged some of them as security men to the detriment of other citizens.

The situation was said to be fueling tension within the polytechnic community.

When contacted, yesterday, spokesman of Edo State Police Com-mand, Mr. Ejiroro Awha-ra, confirmed the shooting of Ahmad Umoru.

He said: “The matter was reported and police is investigating.”