By Tari Gboriye
No fewer than five persons have been feared killed following a renewed cult war in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, at the weekend.
NAIJA News Spank learnt that the violence, which broke out on Friday, was between two notorious cult groups, Bobos and Greenlanders, with killings recorded in Agudama, Obele and the back of St. Peter’s Church areas of Yenagoa.
It was gathered that the killings have undermined the peace accord secured among the various cult groups by the former leadership of the state police command, and now threatens the pact between the Greenlanders and the Icelanders.
According to sources, the crisis started in Agudama community where a youth was reportedly murdered and beheaded. Another victim was shot in the buttocks but was rescued by a neighbour. His current state of health remains unknown.
The immediate cause of the renewed hostilities could not be ascertained as at press time. However, sources said the Bobos and Greenlanders are known to be long-standing rivals, irrespective of any existing peace accord.
Further checks at Imgbi Road, Ovom and Obele — identified as dark spots for cult-related activities — revealed that youths believed to be involved in cultism had vacated the areas over fear of police arrest or attack by rival groups.
In a swift reaction, the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Ajao Saka Adewale, has ordered intensified operations against cultism and cult-related violence across the state.
Adewale directed Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and tactical commanders to increase patrols in vulnerable areas, identify emerging threats, and act promptly on credible intelligence regarding planned clashes, initiation ceremonies and recruitment.
He said the command is strengthening collaboration with community leaders to ensure early detection of tensions, stressing that officers will move swiftly to secure any area where an attack occurs, investigate those responsible and prevent reprisal.
The CP warned: “Cult groups contemplating an attack or reprisal should be under no illusion: the command will pursue them and their sponsors.”
He reminded the public that the Bayelsa State Secret Cults/Societies and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2012, as amended in 2018, prohibits membership and sponsorship of secret cults and provides for serious criminal penalties upon conviction.
“There will be no sacred cows. Anyone reasonably suspected of organising, financing, facilitating or participating in cult-related crimes will be investigated, regardless of status or influence. Where the evidence warrants it, suspects will be charged to court in accordance with due process,” he said.
The command urged parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against cult involvement, and enjoined residents to promptly report planned attacks, recruitment or other cult activities to the nearest police station, while warning against reprisal attacks, harbouring of suspects or spreading rumours capable of escalating violence.
