Gunmen suspected to be cultists, on Wednesday night, killed the youth leader of Abarikpo community in Akoh Kingdom of Ahoada-East local government area of Rivers State, Ebenezer Matthew.
The killing of the youth leader came less than three months after gunmen suspected to be cultists gang-raped a married woman, Chigbewejim Lawyer, to death in the same community.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Akoh Youth Congress (AYC), Comrade Ekeakita Hector Chineme, confirmed the killing of Mathew in an interview with journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Ekeakita called on security agencies and political leaders in Ekpeye ethnic nationality to rise up to check the activities of cultists in the area.
He said: “Yes is true that Comrade Mathew Ebenezer was shot dead yester-night (Wednesday) in his hometown, in his father’s compound. The only thing I know about Matthew is that, Matthew is not somebody that condone illegality.
“He is somebody that has being standing firm, fighting against cultists, against insecurity in the community and I believe that is one of the two things that might have led to his death. But, I know he has being a good person in the Akoh kingdom.
“The matter has been reported to the Police. As I am speaking to you now, they are preparing for his burial.”
But, when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Rivers State, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the killing of the community youth leader but denied cultists were responsible.
Iringe-Koko, who said the killing was not cult-related, stated that the Police have identified the person who led the gang that killed the youth leader.
She added that efforts were on to arrest the culprits as investigation continues.
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