The Nigeria Police Force, Edo State Command has confirmed the fatal shooting of a popular vulcaniser, known simply as Boyo, by unidentified gunmen along Warrake Road in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area.
It was learnt that the incident occurred on Friday.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers arrived on a motorcycle and stopped at Boyo’s roadside vulcanising workshop.
One of them approached the unsuspecting vulcaniser who was reportedly resting and shot him twice at close range before fleeing the scene.
A nearby trader said, “It all happened so fast. The gunman didn’t say anything. He just walked up to Boyo, shot him, and escaped. The area was thrown into chaos.”
Local community leaders expressed outrage and concern over the daylight killing, describing Boyo as a hardworking and peaceful resident.
“This is a terrifying development. Warrake Road is usually quiet. To witness such brutal violence in broad daylight is unacceptable. We call on security agencies to ensure swift justice,” a community representative said.
However the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu in a statement on Saturday confirmed that the assailants — two men on a motorcycle — fled the scene immediately after the attack.
He stated that a full-scale manhunt had been launched to apprehend them.
“We received the report yesterday. The victim was confirmed dead at the hospital, and a manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing. The Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has assured the public that no one involved in this heinous act will be spared,” Yamu said.
