Unknown gunmen suspected to be cultists have shot and killed the leader of a vigilante group, in a part of Rivers state.

The victim identified as Emmanuel Ikechukwu, who was said to be the leader of Choba community, security outfit, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state was allegedly killed in his Rumuchuakara home town, about 10 pm, Wednesday night, by the armed men.

Apart from the security leader, two other persons equally allegedly sustained different degrees of gunshot injury by the same shooters during the attack.

The incident according to the community sources caused tension among residents of Rumuchuakara and their neighbouring community.

The source who claimed to be a member of the deceased family who preferred anonymous told newsmen in Port Harcourt, on Thursday that the victim who he referred to as his uncle was killed by suspected cultists who were in the community on a different mission.

He explained that the victim who also doubled as the youth leader of the community had confronted and interrogated his killers to unravel their identity and their mission in the community when he did not recognise the faces as members, residents of the community, suspecting that his killers might have shot at him in anger for trying to unveil their identity and mission in the area.

However, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident but noted that the victim was killed by yet to be identified individuals.

Omoni said that the Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura, has ordered investigation into the killing, adding that police has restored normalcy in Choba.

In a related development, two persons were reportedly shot in a clash at Lewe community of Gokana Local Government Area of the state, early hours of yesterday.

An eyewitness from the area who broke the news yesterday said, “There was heavy shooting in Lewe community today (Thursday), two persons sustained bullet injuries but survived.

“The victims are receiving treatment now, the reason for the attacks is not clear to us, most the villagers who are afraid have started moving out of the community to avoid being affected.”

Meanwhile, youths of the State, especially those in universities have been charged against any form of involvement in cult related activities.

The Director, Advocacy Center, Project Implementing Partner (DACPIP), Fynface Dumnamene, who spoke in Port Harcourt, at a one-day sensitisation, noted that students have the right to freedom of association, but said that such freedom does not allow their involvement in cultism.

“It is my passion and vision to recruit at least, 2 million youths to campaign against vices that plague the society, and drive the struggle for human rights.

“Also, in are ensuring this sensitisation will not make them abuse these rights, like in one of the rights which is freedom of assembly and association, youths should not make them be part of secret cult that can ruin their lives,” he said. (The Nation)

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