A member of a vigilante group simply identified as Endurance a.k.a DMX was on Saturday killed by suspected cultists in Ugbowo, Benin, Edo State.

The assailants trailed their victim from his home to a betting shop where he was shot thrice at close range, while others scampered for safety.

The incident which occurred about 6pm Saturday on Ologbotsere Street, off Benin Technical College Road in Egor Local Government Area left residents in panic.

The vigilante group in the area, immediately stormed the crime scene to rescue their colleague but he was already dead before they got there. Angered by the killing, the members of the vigilante group took to the street in a bid to fish out the killers. Their efforts, however, proved futile.

One of the residents said that the suspected cultists came in two vehicles, a Mercedes Benz car and a Toyota Camry.

The source said, “The incident happened all of a sudden and before we knew it, they had killed DMX and escaped from the scene of the crime.

“Everyone including those that were at the betting shop ran for safety. I don’t know where these people get their weapons from but the government needs to check them else innocent lives will be lost every time.

“I also heard that the victim was shot three times in his chest before his assailants zoomed off through the Medical Stores/Okhoro Road. His remains were later evacuated by the police in the area,” the source added.

Edo State Command Police Spokesman, SP Kontongs Bello, said he was aware of the incident but he was still awaiting a detailed report from the Divisional Police Officer of the area as of press time.

The renewed cult violence in the past one week has claimed two lives in the area following the killing of Augustine Izu, a final year Political Science student of the University of Benin and Daniel Benjamin.