A yet-to-be-identified man was on Thursday night shot dead by gunmen suspected to be cultists along the Nanka/Lumumba Diobu axis between Mile 2 and Mile 3 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

It was gathered that about three gunmen had trailed the deceased to a location where he went to buy noodles and shot him in the head.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter said, “It was around past 8 pm. Some people were still outside receiving fresh air because of the heat wave when it happened.

“Some boys, I believe they are cult members, followed this man, and as soon as he bought noodles and was returning home, they shot him at a close range.

“The boys disappeared immediately, and people living within the area started running for their lives. Many people ran into their houses, and some shop owners closed and hid themselves until it was safe to leave the area. It was later policemen came to remove the man’s corpse. There was blood all over the floor because he was shot in the head,”

Another source linked the shooting to a cult war between two factions of the Deygbam gang.

When contacted on Saturday, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident but dismissed the claim of cult war.

Iringe-Koko said investigation has commenced to ensure the culprits are arrested and prosecuted.

Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police stated, “I can confirm the incident, but it was not a cult war. Some cult members actually attacked and shot the man dead.

“Investigation is ongoing to arrest the perpetrators and make them face the law.”