Bayelsa: 20 arrested as police crack down on cultists

Operatives of the Bayelsa State Police Command have arrested more than 20 suspected cultists during raids across several communities in the state.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ajao Saka Adewale, ordered the deployment of police personnel and tactical teams to areas identified as cultism hotspots, including Swali, Akenfa, Down Yenagoa, Agudama and other parts of Yenagoa, the state capital.

The Police Spokesman in Bayelsa State, DSP Musa Mohammed, who confirmed the arrests to Daily Trust, said several suspected cultists had been arrested across the state.

It was also gathered that the intensified police operation, coupled with warnings issued to community leaders and youths accused of harbouring suspected cult members, had prompted some communities to openly distance themselves from cult groups and their activities.

Police said several suspected cultists, including some described as notorious members, had been arrested, while efforts were ongoing to track down others.

Daily Trust recalls that between Sunday and Wednesday this week, there was a resurgence of cult-related clashes in different areas of Yenagoa, the state capital, where more than five persons were reportedly killed and others injured.

Police authorities have also dismissed reports that a young man who was shot at Onopa had died.

According to the police, the man, who was suspected of cult involvement, was shot at his Point of Sale (POS) stand in Onopa on Wednesday and is receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa. Police said he was alive, contrary to earlier reports of his death.

The development followed renewed cult-related violence in Yenagoa at the weekend, during which no fewer than five persons were feared killed.

The clash, which reportedly erupted on Friday between rival groups identified as Bobos and Greenlanders, resulted in killings in parts of Agudama, Obele and the Back of St. Peters area of the state capital.

Sources said the renewed violence had disrupted the peace accord previously reached among some cult groups under the former leadership of the State Police Command.

Following the development, CP Adewale ordered an intensified crackdown on cultism and cult-related violence across the state, warning that there would be no sacred cows.

The commissioner directed Divisional Police Officers and tactical commanders to increase patrols in vulnerable areas, identify emerging threats and act swiftly on credible intelligence concerning planned clashes, initiation ceremonies and recruitment activities.

He also directed the police formations to sustain operations aimed at dismantling cult networks and preventing further violence in the state.