Police parades 23 persons over alleged involvement in cult clashes in Bayelsa
….recovers Eight firearms, cutlasses, bottles of codine,two battle axes,20 cartridges
The Bayelsa State Police Command led by Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ajao Saka Adewale has paraded twenty -three persons over their involvement in the recent renewed cult clashes in the state and killings of over five persons.
Those arrested were apprehended after sizable display of attacks and reprisals from opposing cult groups recorded in Igbogene, Onopa, Ovom, Agudama, Amarata, Swali and Akenfa axis, some of which have resulted in fatalities.
The police also announced the recovery of Eight (8) FIREARMS (2 locally fabricated pistols, 3 Baretta Pistols, 3 Locally made revolver pistol, and 1 automatic pump-action)Nine (9) live 9mm ammunition, FIVE (5) Cutlasses Two (2) Battle axesOne (1) drumTwo (2) Cans of Nitrous Oxide also known as (Laughing Gas).
Also recovered are Seventeen (17) bottles of Codine Substance and big bag of Dried leaves suspected to be Cannabis Sativa Twenty (20) Cartridges.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ajao Saka Adewale,while briefing newsmen at the Police headquarters, said the command, in a swift response via intelligence-driven operations and visibility patrols across identified flashpoints and parks and arrested a total of Twenty-three (23) suspects in connection to cultism, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms, and other light weapons.
He confirmed that during a streak of coordinated and intelligence-driven operations spanning a space of 13 days between 23rd September to 5th October, 2026, one Tarimie James, 24 yrs “m” of Ovum Community was arrested along St. Anglican Church.
“He confessed on video record to be a member of the Icelander Confraternity. One locally fabricated Barretta Pistol was recovered from him and he is currently on remand, awaiting trial”
“One EZEIKIEL JOEL; a 24 yrs “m” of Igbogene Community was arrested with an automatic pump-action gun, other light weapons and a drum used during their meetings were recovered from him.He confessed on video record to be a member of the Kue Klus Klan’s men (KKK) Confraternity.”
He also confirmed that the Violent Crime Response Unit of the Command led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, in the course of a coordinated operation to restore normalcy, arrested five (5) suspects in connection with attacks and reprisals by cult groups, resulting in life threatening injuries in some of the aforementioned communities.
“The suspects arrested include one ZAIDAMUN PAUL, ANTHONY OKORIE, God’s gift ANGEL, RICHMAN KUDI and VICTOR Kelsey.Exhibits Recovered: One (1)Baretta pistol, Axes, cutlasses and knives were recovered from the suspects”.
“On the 6th October, 2026, the operative of the Command acting on actionable intelligence recovered a locally made revolver pistol with three (3) live 9mm ammunition at Ugbogene, abandoned by a suspect (name withheld) who has been on the watchlist of the command for the recent cult-related apprehensions in Ugbogene community.”
“The said suspect, upon sighting police operatives, escaped through a nearby swamp, abandoning the exhibit. Effort is ongoing to apprehend him.”
” On the 7th- 8th October, 2026, which is barely two days ago, the operatives of the Command, during a joint and intelligence-driven operation, arrested eight (8) suspects in connection to cultism and breach of public peace in; Akenfa, Igbogene and Swali communities respectively.The suspects are:a. BARATUA-PRE BARA a 30 yrs “m” of Ogbia LGA, was arrested in Akenfa.”
“He confessed on video to being the No. 2 of the Icelanders Confraternity in Yenagoa. The suspect will be arraigned in court on Monday 12/10/2026.Igbogene also arrested Sb. FUNKURO BEREH a 25 yrs “m” of Ekeremoh LGA, arrested at Igbogene park. He confessed on a video recording to be a member of the Bobos Confraternity.The suspect will be arraigned in court soon.”
” KELVIN ADAMU a 28 yrs “m” of Igbogene Community, arrested at Igbogene Motor Park. The suspect is currently on remand, awaiting trial and he confessed on video recording to being a member of the Bobos confraternity.”
“SWALI COMMUNITY ARREST Sd. VINCENT IKIEYE a 20 yrs “m” of Gbarain, Southern Ijaw LGA. He was arrested on 8/10/2026 in Swali Community and handed over to the police by the community youths during a raid operation by the police.”
“The suspect confessed to being a member of the Bobos Confraternity and nicknamed “Small but mighty” The suspect will be arraigned on Monday 12/10/2026.”
e. Benjamin AKENO a 26 yrs “m” of Okpoma, Brass LGA. He was arrested on 8/10/2026 in Swali Community during a joint raid operation. The suspect confessed to being initiated into the Bobos Confraternity on 15th May, 2026 and he is nicknamed “Gentle Lion”.”
” ESUAYE IKECLEAR a 30 yrs “m” musician and native of Famgbe, Yenagoa LGA. The suspect was arrested in Swali, confessed to being inducted into the Bobos Confraternity in 10/9/2010 and nicknamed “Daki” ”
“GIFT TORIE “m” 23 yrs native of ikolo community, he confessed on video to being a member of the Bobos Confraternity and JOB SIMON 32 yrs businessman of Gbarain, Southern Ijaw LGA. He confessed to being a member of the Bobos confraternity, nicknamed “VIP” He will be charged to court on Monday 12/10/2026.”
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ajao Saka Adewale however expressed appreciation to the personnel of the Doo Akpo Joint Task Force and other tactical and operational teams, whose vigilance, courage, and commitment continue to provide practical meaning to our resolve to keep Bayelsa safe.
He also acknowledged the renewed cooperation of our critical community stakeholders, ” Our recent engagements with tricycle unions, NURTW Bayelsa State, Traditional rulers, Community Development Committees, and youth leaders across Yenagoa were not merely ceremonial meetings; they were deliberate bridges of trust and intelligence-sharing.”
