A carpenter identified simply as Ovoke has been shot dead in what police suspect to be a cult-related reprisal attack in the Warri area of Delta State.
The incident, which occurred on October 23, was said to be connected to the earlier killing of a man identified as Ghenero, who was stabbed to death on October 12 following a dispute over a debt in the Iyara area.
Earlier reports indicated that the deceased, Ghenero, was involved in an argument with an acquaintance who accused him of owing money from a business deal. The altercation escalated into a fight, during which Ghenero was stabbed and later died.
A police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, confirmed that Ovoke was attacked and killed at McIver Market, Warri.
“The deceased was attacked and shot dead at McIver in Warri. The incident happened at night and is believed to be connected to the killing of one Ghenero in Iyara,” the source said.
A video shared by the anti-cultism advocacy platform Naija Confra and sighted by PUNCH Metro showed the victim pleading for his life before being shot in the head.
The platform also revealed that Ovoke’s girlfriend sustained injuries during the attack.
“During the shooting, Ovoke’s girlfriend was also hit by a bullet in her lap and was rushed to the hospital, where she is receiving treatment. Ovoke was killed in the same area where the Vikings killed the son of an army officer. He was said to be a carpenter who also sold wooden chairs in the area,” the platform disclosed.
In recent weeks, a series of suspected cult clashes have resulted in multiple deaths and injuries across Warri and its environs.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, said the attack was linked to recent cult-related violence in the area.
“The incident is related to cases of cult attacks that happened in Warri recently. That is the only place we have recorded such attacks lately. Investigation is ongoing,” Edafe said.
Advertisement
