A late-night robbery attack along Medical Store Road in Benin City has claimed the life of a popular trader, Mr. Ben Osondu, while his wife, Mrs. Abigail Osondu is battling for survival after sustaining a gunshot wound to the neck.
The attack occurred on Saturday night when suspected armed robbers stormed the couple’s shop after allegedly monitoring the area for several minutes from inside their vehicle parked by the victims’ shop.
The assailants reportedly fled with cash proceeds from the day’s sales after shooting the couple.
The incident has left residents and business owners in the area in shock, with many describing the attack as one of the most brazen in recent times.
‘I Thought They Were Customers’
The victim’s first son, Stephen Osondu, told KU FM News that his father had called him home from work earlier in the evening.
According to him, Mr. Osondu advised him not to work late into the night, telling him, “It’s not tonight you will make all the money you need.”
Stephen said that when he arrived at the family shop, he noticed a tinted Toyota Camry parked outside but assumed the occupants were customers.
“I saw the tinted Toyota Camry parked in front of our shop. I thought it was one of the customers who usually stay inside their car and ask for items.”
He said he remained inside his own vehicle after informing his parents that he had returned from work and later fell asleep briefly.
Moments later, his wife rushed toward him in panic.
“I suddenly saw my wife running. I was wondering what could be chasing her. I followed her, and then I heard my younger brother shouting.”
Stephen said he found his mother with a gunshot wound to the neck before discovering that the attackers had taken the family’s container holding the day’s sales.
“I saw them carrying the bucket where we keep the sales money. As I came out, people were shouting that someone had been shot. That was when I realised it was my dad.”
Hospital Referrals Before Death
Stephen said his father was still alive after the shooting, but claimed efforts to secure emergency treatment were unsuccessful.
According to him, they first rushed both victims to a hospital along Sapele Road but were referred to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
He alleged that while UBTH admitted his mother for treatment, his father was referred elsewhere because of the severity of his injuries.
He said subsequent hospitals also referred him back to UBTH.
“I stopped driving around with him at about 1:30 a.m. before he finally gave up after hours of bleeding.”
KU FM has not independently verified the circumstances surrounding the hospital referrals. Efforts to obtain comments from the affected medical facilities were not successful as of the time of filing this report.
Eyewitness Recounts Horror
An eyewitness, Prosperity Emmanuel, said the suspected robbers appeared to have deliberately watched the shop before striking.
She said the vehicle remained parked outside for a long period, making it appear as though its occupants were ordinary customers.
“They parked there for a long time just like some of the customers who usually come to buy things.”
She recalled that one of the suspects eventually stepped out of the vehicle dressed entirely in black.
“He wore black clothes and a black face cap. He had a small bag with him.”
According to her, the suspect pulled a gun from the bag and ordered everyone around the shop to leave.
“He kept shouting, ‘Leave this place! Leave this place!’ As he was coming towards me, I grabbed my baby and ran into the bush.”
Moments later, she heard gunshots.
“When I came back, they had already left. People started coming out and someone shouted that they had shot the man.”
Police Yet To Confirm Attack
The Edo State Police Command has not yet responded to calls and messages from us about the incident as at the time of publishing this report.
The killing has renewed concerns among residents over the safety of traders who operate late into the evening in parts of Benin City.