One dead as cult war paralyses commercial activities in Bayelsa town

Commercial activities at Punch Road and adjoining streets in Amarata, a suburb of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, temporarily came to a halt on Friday night and early Saturday morning as cult boys on a revenge mission over the killing of a young man took the street in an apparent revenge mission.

The victim simply identified as Frank, aka, Akiman was trailed and brutally shot dead on Friday night at Punch Road by gun-wielding youths suspected to be from a rival cult group at about 9:00 pm.

The killers, numbering over six, were said to have trailed the young man who was a popular figure in the community, shot him in the arm, pursued him to a corner when he tried to escape, and shot him cold in the head with a revolver pistol.

They reportedly shot into the air to disperse residents who ran for their lives, with some abandoning their wares, stores, and even their own siblings.

The gunshots caused panic and pandemonium as all shops were closed with people running for cover.

Though the police later came to evacuate the body that night, there was another pandemonium in the early morning of Saturday as a cult group came out in an apparent revenge mood with guns, cutlasses, and other dangerous items shouting war songs.

They came in groups and attacked another youth ‘whose condition is yet uncertain’ with a machete, sending residents into another panic and palpable fear. Shops were locked and many who came out early ran for dear lives as the youths dared anyone to challenge them.

The police came with their vans when the boys had gone to hiding to restore temporary peace.

A reliable source said the ongoing war may not be unconnected to the recent clashes between rival cults in Igbogene, a gateway town in Yenagoa local government area which has claimed five lives.

He said the Igbogene cult clash was for the control of the new multi-million motor park built by the government at Igbogene.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity called on the government to intervene as this one death among many others.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Bayelsa State Police Command has not responded to inquiries sent to him on the incident.