From Ben Dunno, Warri and Paul Osuyi, Asaba

Gunmen suspected to be hired killers, yesterday, shot dead a driver and mobile police escort attached to a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader, Chief Michael Johnny, at the popular Airport Junction in the heart of Warri South Local Government Area of Delta state.

Findings revealed that the deceased mobile policeman and driver identified as Inspector Samuel Arigbanmiga and Stephen Okhea, respectively, were on official duty to escort their boss’s wife to church when the incident occurred.

It was reported that they had dropped the madam off at the church and were on their way to run another errand when they were accosted at about 11:12am by their assailants who trailed them in a yellow Lexus SUV.

The deceased police and driver said to have been caught napping at the point their vehicle was accosted were reportedly shot at a close range on the head and stomach. They both died on the spot.

Daily Sun correspondent, who visited the scene of crime at about 12:05am, saw the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Enerhen Division, CSP Mukhtari Bello, leading his men to conduct preliminary investigations on the incident.

While the corpses were immediately taken by the police to be deposited at the mortuary of the Warri Central hospital, the red Toyota Venza jeep, with registration number; BWR – 170AX (Abuja) driven by the victims, the service rifle of the deceased mobile policeman, phones and other items recovered at the scene are currently in custody of the police.

Confirming the incident, the Ag. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edafe Bright, said the police have commenced investigations into the case, adding that no stone would be left unturned in bringing the perpetrators of the dastardly act to justice.

When contacted on phone, yesterday, the APC youth leader in Delta state, Chief Micheal Johnny, described the act as a clear case of assassination and an attempt on the life of his family members, and urged the police to carry out thorough investigations into the case, so as to unravel those behind the crime.

The killing of the APC chieftain’s aides comes less than 12 hours after two armed bandits with AK 47 attacked and robbed the new vice chairman (Delta north) of Delta APC caretaker committee, Fred Mordi, in his Asaba residence.