The Bayelsa State community is in mourning following the tragic killing of a recent graduate from the Federal University, Otuoke (FUO). The young man, identified as Mark, lost his life on Friday in an incident authorities suspect is linked to a violent clash between rival cult groups.
A Fatal Case of Mistaken Identity
According to sources familiar with the event, the deceased was not the primary target of the armed assailants. Reports indicate that the gunmen, believed to be hitmen from the Neo Black Movement, also known as Black Axe, were on a mission to locate another individual. When they failed to find their intended target, they reportedly turned their aggression towards Mark, shooting him in the stomach.
Friends and sympathizers at the scene immediately rushed the injured graduate to a hospital in a desperate bid to save his life. However, this rescue attempt ended in further tragedy. The vehicle transporting him was involved in an accident after hitting a speed bump, a crash that critically worsened his condition and ultimately sealed his fate.
Victim Described as Peaceful and Focused
Contrary to the violent circumstances of his death, friends and acquaintances have described Mark as a calm, friendly, and non-confrontational individual. They emphasized that he was not known for seeking trouble or engaging in violence. His primary focus, they said, was on building a legitimate livelihood.
Some friends expressed shock, stating they never had any indication he was involved in cult activities. In fact, they recalled that Mark often advised others against joining secret cults. It was further alleged that members of a rival group, the Vikings (DNKI), had previously warned him to leave the area, but he chose to stay due to his girlfriend.
Police Launch Discreet Investigation
The Bayelsa State Police Command has officially confirmed the killing. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, stated that security operatives have initiated a discreet and thorough investigation to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
"The incident has been confirmed, and the police are conducting a discreet and thorough investigation," DSP Mohammed told the press. This killing adds to a worrying pattern of cult-related violence in the state, coming shortly after a separate report where a 27-year-old man was shot dead and three others injured in Yenagoa due to suspected intra-cult rivalry.
The death of this young graduate has cast a pall over the academic community in Otuoke and raised urgent questions about the persistent threat posed by cult clashes, which continue to cut promising lives short and instill fear in local communities.
