By Our Correspondent
YENAGOA — A wave of cult-related violence has engulfed Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, leaving residents in a state of fear and uncertainty. Over the past two weeks, no fewer than ten individuals have lost their lives due to ongoing supremacy battles between rival cult groups.
Notorious neighborhoods such as Amarata, Swali, Akaba, Famgbe, and Igbogene have become hotspots for these violent clashes, with daily reports of shootings and machete attacks. Residents now live in fear, with many avoiding nighttime movement and others considering relocation.
The Bayelsa State Police Command confirmed the arrest of 17 suspected cultists believed to be behind the recent killings, including the gruesome murder of two graduates from the Niger Delta University (NDU). According to Police Public Relations Officer DSP Musa Mohammed, the suspects were apprehended during coordinated raids in Akaba and Famgbe communities.
Commissioner of Police, Alayanu Francis Idu, assured the public that law enforcement agencies are working diligently to restore normalcy. “We have intensified our surveillance and are working closely with community leaders to track down other culprits,” he stated.
Despite these efforts, many residents and civil society advocates express skepticism about the effectiveness of the response. “There is a culture of impunity surrounding cultism in Bayelsa,” said Comrade Preye Okoko, Coordinator of the Bayelsa Youth Coalition Against Violence. “Some of these suspects are known faces in the community. They are arrested and then released without any tangible prosecution. We want public trials and stiffer penalties.”
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Bayelsa reports that cult-related killings in the state have risen by over 35% in the last six months alone, with the majority of victims being young males aged between 18 and 30.
Reacting to the situation, Hon. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, condemned the violence and emphasized the government’s commitment to restoring peace. “The state government is deeply concerned about the recent surge in cult-related activities. We are working in collaboration with security agencies to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice,” she stated.
Civil society groups and traditional leaders have urged the Bayelsa State Government to declare a state of emergency on cultism and youth violence. “Security must become the top priority,” said Chief Ebikeme James, a community elder in Swali. “If nothing is done urgently, we fear the situation may spiral beyond control.”
As the crisis persists, Yenagoa residents continue to hope for lasting peace. But for now, the city remains on edge, with a grim cloud of fear hanging over its once-vibrant streets.
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