Six persons have reportedly lost their lives with two other severely injured as unknown gunmen suspected to be avenging cult group continue their hunts for rivals unabated in Igbomoturu, Swali and Azikoro, Amarata and other parts of Yenagoa, the state capital.

One person was reportedly shot dead at Swali on Saturday (Yesterday) by suspected cult members.

On Thursday, two graduates of the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, were gruesomely murdered by suspected cultists in Gbarantoru community, Yenagoa Local Government Area of the 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!”

At Azikoro village in Yenagoa, a lady who was hit by a stray bullet on Thursday night had reportedly lost her life to the gunshots injury. Same night two persons were killed at Obele, in Swali community after gunmen invaded the community in the evening of the same day.

Also, gunmen invaded the Ompadec area of Amarata, a suburb of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, leaving in their trail, tears, sorrow and blood.

The incident which happened around 7pm on Thursday evening, saw many residents running for dear lives as many shop owner hurriedly closed their shops as the gunmen shot sporadically apparently to scare any opposition away, causing pandemonium on the streets and other adjoining areas.

A woman who was rushing to close her shop was hit by a bullet on her lap while another man was saw lying on the road but it was reported that a bullet had hit him too and both rushed to the hospital.

The gunmen who has reportedly did the same operation at the Obele area of the Swali community, drove into Amarata in Hilux and another SUV vehicle around 7:30 pm and started shooting at the Ompadec area, after the former Pere Rich hotel now a hostel for students of the Bayelsa Medical University.

Though, no death has been confirmed yet, sources said two people were feared killed but no official statements yet from the Police authorities who appeared helpless in the cult war that had claim more than 15 persons in one month.

Most residents afraid of stray bullets has resorted to staying indoors as shop now closed as early as 7pm while many blamed the police and government for not taking proactive actions against those tormenting them everyday.

The Paramount Ruler of Swali, a community under siege by cultist and armed gunmen had accused the Police of not doing enough as most of the youths who they have managed to apprehend later comes back after few days to harass the residents.

Narrating how the two graduates lost their lives, 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.

Residents who spoke to our correspondent lamented the ordeal they went through everyday, calling on the state government to be proactive in putting an end to the rampaging cultists, who parade the streets with gun even broad daylight.