Tension has gripped Ahoada town in Rivers State following the brutal murder of a local vigilante member identified as Precious by suspected cultists on Tuesday night.

The tragic incident occurred along Hospital Road in Ahoada East Local Government Area, where the assailants ambushed the victim during a routine patrol.

Eyewitnesses revealed that the gun-wielding cultists initially opened fire on Precious, but when their bullets reportedly failed to penetrate, they resorted to using sticks, iron rods, and other dangerous objects to bludgeon him to death.

A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, recounted the ordeal, ?They held him and started hitting him with all manner of dangerous objects until he died. The cult boys then ran into the bush, leaving his lifeless body in a pool of blood.?

The Incident has sparked panic in the area, with many residents fleeing their homes for fear of reprisal attacks. So far, neither of the rival cult groups, Iceland or Greenland, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The source also disclosed that the deceased, who hailed from Ihuike community in Ula-Upata Kingdom, had reportedly been on the radar of the suspected cultists before the attack.

Confirming the incident, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said a manhunt has been launched to track down the perpetrators.

?Yes, I can confirm the incident. The victim was rushed to the hospital, where he was certified dead by the doctor on duty. His body has been deposited in the mortuary, and investigations are ongoing,? Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, said.

She added, ?The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has ordered the Area Commander and tactical units to ensure that the culprits are arrested and brought to book.? (The PUNCH)