Famous photographer and Chief Executive Officer of Wildshots Studios, Port Harcourt, Michael Nwagugbo has died in a tragic crash while going to rescue mother from pandemonium caused by rampaging cult gangs in Rumuola area of the Rivers State capital.
Nwagubo died on Friday night and his sudden death has thrown the entertainment community in Port Harcourt into mourning as his customers and fans have taken to various social media platforms to mourn his passage.
It was learnt that late Nwagugbo’s mother was caught in the pandemonium caused by members of the cult group who were angry over the killing of one of their kingpins, popularly called “Frege” two weeks ago.
Frege was reportedly shot dead by suspected members of rival cult gangs around Rumuola area of Port Harcourt on his way home after watching a football match.
Though the cult kingpin was taken to Akwa-Ibom state for burial, his gang members went on rampage around Rumuola on Friday night and started shooting sporadically, leading to chaos in the area, it was learnt.
Nwagugbo was said to have crashed his car in an attempt to go and rescue his mother, who was trapped in the pandemonium in the area.
The deceased was said to have driven on top speed.
“He was then rushed to a poorly equipped hospital, which could not help his situation before he was rushed to Save A Life hospital, off Stadium Road, where he was pronounced dead,” one of his fans remarked.
The photos of his crashed car were also posted online on various platforms.
A source close to the Police who gave an insight into the probable cause of chaos said in a chat with PM NEWS: “It may not be unconnected to the death of ‘Frege’ the suspected Viking’s cult gang executioner who was killed allegedly by suspected Iceland cult members at Rumukalagbor two weeks ago.
“From what I learnt, his burial was yesterday (Friday) at Akwa-Ibom, it may be that some loyalists of the deceased on rampage.
He went further caution that Rumuola, Rumukalagbor, some parts of D-line and Ogbu-nabali are flash points and jurisdiction of the different branches of the two cult groups in contention.
He also explained that the reddish sellotape around the cutlasses and weapons carried by the rampaging youths was a pointer to the fact they are cult gang members.
In a similar vein, a journalist working with a national television, who narrowly escaped the melee, has been thanking God for protection from death in the hands of the rampaging hoodlums.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed the incident, but did not give details about casualties.
Nwagugbo’s is said to be preparing for celebration of his birthday, slated for next week.