The police in Bayelsa State have arrested 10 suspected cultists and armed robbers who have been terrorising residents in the past few months.
Cult groups in the state, especially in Amarata and Obele axes of Yenagoa, have been having a running battle in the past three weeks, a situation that led to the killing of one gang leader said to belong to Bobos confraternity in Amarata community some three weeks ago.
The Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, Mr Romokere Ibani, who disclosed the arrest during a press briefing over the weekend, explained that upon assumption of duty and after a cursory analysis of the prevalent crime rate in the state, he and the command’s management team designed a robust operation strategy to deal decisively with crime and criminal elements in the state.
He said, “On 27th April, 2023, on a tip-off, the operatives of SWAT arrested two armed robbery suspects, Christopher Colombia (39) and Appah Wisdom Deinyefa (30). Upon a search of their apartment on Bozi Waters Road, Yenagoa, the police recovered two locally made pistols, one live cartridge, one walkie talkie, six machetes and one face mask. Investigation is ongoing.
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“On 16th January, 2023, at about 0920hrs, the operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit responded to a distress call that armed robbers operating with a Toyota Corolla with Reg No ABH 847 AY attacked a POS stand at Imgbi Junction and disposed the operator and her customer of the sum of N500,000 only. During a hot chase, the armed robbers abandoned the vehicle and took to their heels.
“The vehicle was recovered and in a follow up operation, one Ebisine Gede (31) was arrested on 9th March, 2023. He has made useful confessional statements to the police. Investigation is ongoing.
“On 9th March, 2023, at about 1410hrs, a POS operator was attacked by armed robbers and disposed of the sum of N300,000 only. In a follow up operation, operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit, through a tip-off, arrested one Clement John on the same day in Swali Community. During a search of their hideout, five machetes, one dagger, two locally made pistols, two expended cartridges and two live cartridges were recovered. Investigation is ongoing.
“On 11th April, 2023, at about 2023hrs, operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit responded to a distress call about a rival cult clash at Amarata, Yenagoa. On arrival, the team arrested one Erenyanate Godsday. In a follow-up operation on 28th April, 2023, one Elliot Princewill (23) was arrested and one silver automatic pistol and three rounds of 9.mm ammunition were recovered from him. The police are on the trail of other gang memb
“On 18th May, 2023, at about 1700hrs, operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit while responding to a distress call about cult activities in Swali community, Yenagoa, sighted the cult boys. The team pursued the boys and arrested four suspects: James Peter (20), Esuye Ikeloti (22), Nathaniel Godwin (21), Taretobou Indikeye (22), were arrested and the following exhibits recovered from them: one English-made pistol, two locally made pistols, one knife and one .9mm ammunition. Investigation is ongoing.”
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