Gunmen suspected to be cultists have shot and killed an automobile technician identified as John Okon in the Abakiliki/Nanka axis of Mile 1 in Diobu Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 8:55 pm on Tuesday when Okon was discussing with a lady in his car.

A source who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that while the mechanic and his female company were still in the vehicle, about three gunmen arrived at the scene, shot him in the head and fled.

The source disclosed that before the gunmen fled, one of them returned to the scene to confirm if the mechanic was dead, as Okon sprawled in the car in a pool of his own blood.

He stated, “So when that happened there was confusion and serious panic in the area. People living there and those passing took to their heels.”

The source said immediately he was shot, the lady scampered for safety.

Speaking on the incident, the Commander of a local vigilante group, Prince Amatari, said the victim was killed in a red Wagon Golf car.

Amatari, who is the Commander, Diobu Security Service, disclosed that the mechanic was in a red Golf 3 car at Abakiliki by Nanka at about 9 pm when the assailants attacked him.

He stated, “Information available to us shows that John Okon was a mechanic whose workshop is at Illabuchi, while he resides at Iwofe.

“He was with a lady in the car when he was shot. And the place where he was shot has been his usual spot with the lady. The lady ran after he was shot.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was yet to hear details of the incident.

She promised to find out and get back to our correspondent. However, she had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report on Wednesday. (The PUNCH)