Suspected cultists have reportedly shot dead a mechanic identified as John Okon at Abakiliki/Nanka axis of Mile 1 Diobu, PortHarcourt, Rivers state.
It was gathered that the incident happened at about 8:55pm, on Tuesday night when the deceased was discussing with a lady in his car.
A source who preferred to remain anonymous said 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 further said that before the gunmen fled, one of the suspected killers came back to confirm if he was dead, adding that immediately he was shot, the lady scampered for safety.
Another source who also pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that a member of a cult group in the area had warned the deceased to desist from hanging out with the girl before the unfortunate incident.
It was gathered that the incident caused serious panic in the area as passersby and residents who were outside as at the time of the incident 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.”
The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer,SP Grace Iringe Koko was yet to respond to enquiries on the matter as of the time of filing this report.