Tragedy struck in Amassoma, Bayelsa State, after a student of the Niger Delta University, identified simply as Christian, was shot dead when suspected cultists launched a late-night raid on his residence.
Security sources disclosed that the incident occurred on Thursday within the university host community, sparking fear among residents.
Christian, said to be an Engineering undergraduate, was reportedly killed after the attackers stormed his apartment in search of his roommate, believed to be their actual target.
A police source explained that the gunmen, suspected to belong to a rival cult group, resorted to violence when they failed to locate the individual they were trailing.
“The assailants invaded the apartment looking for his roommate. When they didn’t find him, they shot Christian,” the source said.
The student was pronounced dead at the scene, while the attackers fled before help could arrive.
The killing threw the community into anxiety, with many residents expressing concern over the resurgence of cult-related violence.
However, security operatives later restored calm, and the victim’s remains were evacuated to a morgue.
Attempts to obtain a response from the university were unsuccessful, as calls to an official contact line did not go through, while a text message sent had yet to receive a reply as of press time.
Confirming the development, the Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, said efforts were underway to apprehend those responsible.
“Investigation is ongoing, and we are making moves to arrest the suspects,” he stated.
The incident adds to growing security worries in the area. In a related development, a 20-year-old woman, identified as Blessing, was recently killed by a stray bullet during a suspected cult attack in the same community.
The earlier incident reportedly occurred when gunmen attempted to target a young man at a laundry outlet, further intensifying concerns over public safety in the university environment.
