A yet-to-be-identified barbing saloon operator was Wednesday morning slaughtered by gunmen suspected to be cultists.

The incident occurred at Idumwunowina, a suburb community close to Benin city, but located in Benin-Lagos highway in Ovia North-East local government area of Edo state.

It was gathered that the deceased who recently got a loan for his saloon business, opened his shop for the day’s business at about 8 am, when three gunmen stormed his shop and opened fire on him.

Sources in the community who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen who came on a motorcycle, moved towards the Oluku end of the Benin-Lagos road axis unchallenged.

Residents were said to have scampered when they heard gunshots fired by the assassins.

Our correspondent gathered that security operatives from the Ugbowo and Ekiadolor police divisions were immediately drafted to the scene.

In another incident, a 23-year-old National Diploma accounting student of Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, has been reportedly shot dead by unknown gunmen.

The deceased identified as Emmanuel Aronokhale, who hails from Okpilla in Estako East local government area of the State, was reportedly killed at about 8 pm Tuesday at his residence at Second Bawak, Sabo, Auchi.

The deceased was said to be relaxing in front of the hostel with his other students when he was shot at close range and he died at the spot.

It was also gathered that the gunmen ordered the other students into their various rooms where they robbed them of their money and mobile phones.

It was learnt that the remains of the student have been deposited in a mortuary if an undisclosed hospital in the Auchi.

When contacted on phone over the incident, Edo Police spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, said he was yet to be briefed on the killing of the barbing saloon operator in the state