There was pandemonium at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) after gunmen stormed the facility to kill a physiotherapist identified as Alex in a suspected cult-related attack.

Sources said the gunmen shot the health personnel while on duty within the department of physiotherapy of the hospital on Friday.

According to one of the sources, the attack threw patients and staff into panic as they scampered for safety.

In response, distraught health workers staged a protest within the hospital premises, wielding placards to decry the growing insecurity that has now spilt into health institutions.

UBTH public relations officer, Joshua Uwaila, confirmed the incident, noting that the hospital had alerted security agencies and was awaiting investigation results.

“A physiotherapist with UBTH was shot dead on Friday. The matter has been reported to the security agencies,” he said.

Meanwhile, a separate tragedy occurred on Tuesday when an articulated truck crushed two vigilante members to death along the busy Ugbowo-Lagos Road directly in front of the University of Benin’s main gate.

Witnesses reported that the victims were riding on a motorbike when the truck ran over them at about noon, killing them instantly.

The heads of the victims were reportedly crushed beyond recognition.

“The two vigilantes died on the spot. Their remains have been deposited in a mortuary,” the witness said.

All efforts to get confirmation from the state police spokesperson, CSP Moses Yamu, proved abortive as he neither answered his calls nor replied to text messages.

(NAN)