A former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and former Bayelsa State Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, Udengs Eradiri, has condemned the resurgence of cult-related killings in the state, describing the development as unacceptable.

Eradiri noted that cultists were killing promising youths and leaders in the state with impunity, while security agencies failed to respond adequately.

The resurgence of cult-related killings and violence has resulted in over 16 deaths in the past month in Yenagoa, the state capital. This has instilled fear among residents, leading to the closure of many businesses over concerns of potential attacks.

Eradiri lamented that the government seemed helpless as hoodlums overran the state, particularly Yenagoa, hunting down their perceived enemies, including some of the governor’s appointees.

He called on security agencies to rise to their responsibilities and put an end to the bloodletting, which, he said, was tarnishing the state’s image.

Eradiri, a former Commissioner for Youths and later for Environment in Bayelsa, urged the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to identify the killers and bring them to justice.

He also appealed to Governor Douye Diri to tackle the challenge head-on by embracing genuine youth empowerment beyond merely appointing assistants.

He said: “I am saddened by the resurgence of cult-related killings in my dear Bayelsa State, especially in Yenagoa, the state capital. Cultists are running amok, hacking down their perceived enemies while security agencies and the government stand by helplessly.

“It is high time we put an end to this unnecessary wastage of human lives. Security agencies must rise to their responsibilities of protecting lives, and the government must embrace genuine youth empowerment and development beyond handing out meaningless appointments to youths.

“The government should keep the youths busy with quick-win direct labour projects every month. There must be a genuine agro-support scheme and contract supplies to support the road construction companies working in the state.

“This approach is not rocket science. The government can create labour projects every month to keep the youths busy and create jobs for them, diverting their attention from evil intentions. These killings must stop because they are giving our state a bad image. Enough is enough.”