A graduate of the Federal University, Otuoke (FUO), in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was on Friday night shot dead during a suspected cult-related clash.
Sources said the incident followed a confrontation between rival cult groups—the Neo Black Movement, popularly known as Black Axe, and the Vikings (DNKI). The deceased, identified simply as Mark, was reportedly shot in the stomach. Efforts by friends and sympathisers to rush him to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention were unsuccessful.
A source within the university community disclosed that Mark was not the primary target of the attack, but was shot after the assailants failed to locate their intended victim.
“These armed boys could not find their target. When they later saw Mark, they shot him,” the source said. The source further claimed that the deceased might have survived the attack but for a tragic mishap on the way to the hospital.
“While his friends were rushing him to the hospital, their vehicle hit a speed bump, which caused an accident,” he added. Friends of the deceased described him as calm, friendly, and peace-loving, noting that he avoided trouble and focused on legitimate means of livelihood.
“He was always smiling and minded his business. He was more focused on making money and was not actively involved in cult activities,” one of his friends said. Another friend added that many people never knew Mark to be a cult member, as he often advised others against cultism.
“Some Vikings members had advised him to leave the area, but he stayed because of his girlfriend,” the friend claimed.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Bayelsa State, Nigeria Police Force, Musa Mohammed, confirmed the incident.
He said the police have launched a discreet and thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing and bring the perpetrators to justice.