In a tragic incident that sent shockwaves through the community, a local automobile technician, identified as John Okon, was shot and killed by gunmen suspected to be cultists in the Abakiliki/Nanka axis of Mile 1 in Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The incident unfolded around 8:55 pm on a fateful Tuesday evening while Okon was engaged in a conversation with a lady inside his car.
An anonymous source disclosed that approximately three armed assailants descended upon the scene and, without warning, opened fire on the victim, fatally wounding him with a gunshot to the head before making a hasty escape.
The source further revealed that one of the gunmen returned to the scene momentarily to confirm the technician’s condition, leaving Okon incapacitated in the vehicle, surrounded by his own blood.
The sudden burst of violence ignited confusion and widespread panic in the vicinity, causing bystanders and passersby to flee for safety.
The lady who was in the company of the victim managed to escape unharmed, and it is reported that she sought refuge in the chaos that ensued.
Prince Amatari, the Commander of the local vigilante group known as the Diobu Security Service, provided additional insights into the incident. He confirmed that John Okon was attacked while seated in a red Golf 3 car at Abakiliki by Nanka at approximately 9 pm.
Amatari 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 Command has not yet provided details about the incident. The spokesperson for the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, pledged to investigate the matter and provide updates, but as of the time of this report, no further information had been received.