Tension in Bayelsa As Rival Cult War Escalates in Yenagoa, 2 Varsity graduates die
From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
Two graduates of the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, have been gruesomely murdered by suspected cultists in Gbarantoru community, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
One of the victims has been identified as Ayaokpo Sinclair from Tombia community, while the identity of the second victim was yet to be confirmed as at press time.
According to local sources, both young men were awaiting their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) call-up letters when they were attacked at about 11 p.m. on Thursday night.
Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Bayelsa State chapter, Mr. Tolummbofa Jonathan, revealed that the two victims had stepped out to purchase some items when a group of boys arrived in a vehicle, pointed them out, and shouted, “See them!”
“They began chanting ‘aye, aye’—a known cult slogan—and immediately descended on the two victims with machetes,” he said.
Jonathan narrated that one of the victims attempted to escape and jumped into a nearby creek, but later died from his injuries. “The other was killed instantly,” he added.
“In a twist, the driver of the vehicle, who turned out to be related to one of the victims, tried to rescue him after he swam ashore. But when the assailants returned to the vehicle and found him, they overpowered the driver and continued the attack until he became unconscious,” Jonathan explained.
The victims were rushed to the community health centre for first aid, but both were later confirmed dead. Their bodies have since been deposited in a morgue, while the police have commenced investigation.
Mr. Jonathan confirmed that the police have arrested the driver of the vehicle and are actively trailing the other fleeing suspects.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Bayelsa State Police Command, Mr. Musa Mohammed, confirmed the incident and the arrests.
“The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has taken over the case and is working to apprehend the remaining suspects,” he stated.
Meanwhile, residents of Yenagoa metropolis remain on edge as the cult war intensifies, with gunshots reported in Amarata and Azikoro Town on Friday night.
Eyewitnesses said the sounds of sporadic gunfire forced many residents to flee their homes for fear of stray bullets.
