A soldier, identified only as David, was reportedly murdered by suspected cultists at Ohanku Road in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of Abia State.

Vanguard reports that the deceased, a Lance Corporal serving in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had returned home to Aba after being granted leave following a successful appendicitis operation.

Sources said the assailants, reportedly dressed in black, tracked him to his family home and killed him in front of his mother.

Army sources from the 14 Brigade, Ohafia, confirmed that David was not serving under the brigade but alleged that he was targeted by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

A resident of Ohanku Road, who gave his name as Chigozie, said David was not a cultist but sometimes intervened to protect friends involved in such groups. He recounted the scene:

“We saw him playing football in the field before the incident. He was not in uniform when the attackers came. His mother begged them to spare him, but they refused, telling her he was their target. She watched as they killed him. It was very traumatic, and I don’t think she will ever recover soon,” he said.

Chigozie added that soldiers have begun arrests in the area as investigations continue.