Seventeen suspected cultists were apprehended along the Tombia-Amasoma Road in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State over their alleged involvement in the killing of two graduates of the Niger Delta University in renewed cult attack.
Among those arrested were four suspected cyber fraudsters popularly known as the ‘Yahoo Boys’ for allegedly sponsoring the killings of the two graduates.
A senior police source told our correspondent that the suspects were arrested during a ‘stop and search’ mounted by men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) led by CSP Bishop Elemide.
The source said the RRS squad mounted the road block at Gbarantoru area off Amassoma Road after receiving intelligence regarding the suspects who were arrested in a Suzuki mini bus.
“We saw over 13 boys cramped inside (the buss) with blood stains on few of them. And machetes stained with blood. The Police immediately suspected they were the ones that carried out the killing.
“Upon questioning, the police discovered that they went to the scene of the crime in two mini buses. One developed fault while they were escaping and they decided to abandon it and use one mini bus.”
Another police source, however, stated that the boys were suspected members of notorious Vikings cult group, alleging that the killing of the two University graduates was sponsored by some four internet fraudsters.
When contacted on the development, Spokesman of Bayelsa State Police Command, Musa Mohammed confirmed that some arrests were carried out by the men of the RRS and disclosed that investigation was ongoing to determine the level of involvement of each suspect.
“Yes, some major arrest have been made and the command is investigating”, Mohammed said.
While some residents believed that the two murdered graduates were members of the Neo Black Movement known as Black Axe Aye, others claimed they were members of the Bobos cult group.
Already, members of the Vikings in the University, some secondary schools and higher institutions in Yenagoa, the state capital were reported to have gone into hiding for fear of reprisal.
Some fun-seekers in bars and lounges within Yenagoa also claimed to have noticed strange movements of some dreadful looking boys, searching for rival cult members to slay.
In the last one week, some parts of the state capital have witnessed strange sounds of gunshots suspected to be exchange of gun fire among rival cult groups.
Again on Sunday morning, two rival cult gang threw the popular commercial hub, Swali Ultra-Modern Market into confusion with heavy exchange of gunshots which led to the killing of one person.
While a police source claimed that some shots were fired by the policemen chasing cult boys reportedly driving around town in covered plate numbered car, others claimed the shootings were carried out by rival cult groups.
A Senior Police officer assured that the State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu and his men were vigorously working round the clock to control the situation.
“We are working seriously to end this nefarious cult clashes and bring those involved to book. We have made many arrests and the State Government have also provided support and warned politicians to steer clear from influencing the police investigation. Those arrested will face the law,” the source said.
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