His death came barely three months after suspected cultists gang-raped a woman to death in the community.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Akoh Youth Congress, Ekeakita Hector Chinem, confirmed the incident yesterday, stressing that the deceased was possibly tipped for assassination by the assailants because of his stance on anti-cultism activities in the community.

Chinem, who spoke in a telephone interview with The Guardian said: “Yes it is true that Mathew was shot dead yesterday night in his home town, and his father’s compound. The only thing I know about Matthew is that he is not someone that condoles illegality.

“He was someone that had been standing firm, fighting against cultism and insecurity in the community and I believe that is one of the things that might have led to his death.”

Chinem said the matter has been reported to the Police, adding that the corpse would be buried immediately.

The PRO, who called on security agencies and political leaders to beef up security in the area, lamented the spate of insecurity in the environment.

He said:  “People no longer sleep with two eyes closed. Every day we record killings. As of last month, April, we recorded about 36 deaths.

“Ubie has the highest number with about sixteen deaths. We have six in Ahoada, three in Akoh where a lot of motorcycles were stolen in daily robberies at Odiemenyi road.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, stressing that the police have identified the gang leader of the assailants.

She said the kingpin and other culprits are yet to be arrested, adding that efforts are on to arrest the culprits as investigation continues.