The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected cultists in connection with last Sunday’s deadly attack at the Obele end of Ovom in Yenagoa, which claimed the life of a metal scavenger, popularly known as an “Iron Condemned” boy, and left three others injured.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah Daniel, said the suspects were arrested during a raid launched after residents of the Obele area raised an alarm that armed cultists were on the rampage, shooting indiscriminately and robbing people of their phones and other valuables.
Police investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly carried out a nighttime raid on the community, dispossessing residents of their belongings before encountering resistance from a group of metal scavengers, popularly called “Iron Condemned.”
According to a source, the scavengers refused to surrender their mobile phones, provoking the assailants, who allegedly opened fire on them.
“The boys were on a massive raid. Many residents were caught unawares, while others fled into their homes for safety. The ‘Iron Condemned’ boys resisted handing over their phones, and this infuriated the cult boys, who started shooting,” the source said.
One of the victims later died in hospital after sustaining a fatal gunshot wound, while three others survived with varying degrees of injuries and are receiving treatment.
CP Iyamah reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling cult-related violence and other criminal activities across the state. He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation is vital to effective policing.
He assured the public that all those involved in the Obele attack would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.