Physically Challenged Man, 5 Others Arrested For Alleged Assault, Cultism

A combined team of Operatives of the Rapid Response Team and the Anti-Cultism team of the Bayelsa State Police Command, on Tuesday, arrested a 47-year-old physically challenged man and five others over an alleged attack on a vigilante personnel in Kolo community, Ogbia local government area of the State

The disabled person, identified as Okpara Balami, was accused of leading an armed gang of youths in Kolo community and repeatedly reported to be involved in terrorism, cultism and attacks against individuals in the community.

The armed gangs have also been accused in several cases of attack against the Kolo Police Station.

Sources in the community informed newsmen that the man, allegedly out of provocation after a minor scuffle, ordered the beating of the youth, identified as a member of the Community vigilante group.

Following the alarm, the RRS team, led by CSP Bishop Elemide and the Anti-Cultism, CSP Nsimo Benson, the Kolo Divisional Police team and the Community Development Committee team, invaded and arrested the accused.

Drones also supported the Police Personnel to give aerial support during the arrest.

It was gathered that the hideout of the suspects, which also doubled as the anchor point for the gang, was searched and a pistol was recovered with several dangerous machetes.

One of the suspects, however, escaped according to community sources.

Confirming the incident, a member of the Kolo Community vigilante, who pleaded anonymity, argued that the arrest of the suspect was long overdue.

“These people are known to be involved in cases of cultism, assault and attacks on police personnel in the community”, he said.

When contacted, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, said the details of the were not available as he has yet to be properly briefed.