Bayelsa police arrest 23 cult suspects, recover firearms

…Lauds community partnership

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested 23 suspects in connection with cult-related violence, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms in Yenagoa and its environs, recovering several weapons and suspected illicit substances.

The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, disclosed this on Saturday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Yenagoa.

Adewale said the arrests followed intelligence-driven operations and visibility patrols conducted between September 23 and October 8, 2026, in identified flashpoints, including Igbogene, Onopa, Ovom, Agudama, Amarata, Swali and Akenfa communities.

He said the operations were prompted by attacks and reprisals involving rival cult groups, which resulted in deaths and life-threatening injuries.

Giving details of the operations, the commissioner said operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit arrested Tarimie James, 24, of Ovom community, near St. Anglican Church in the area.

According to him, James confessed in a video recording to being a member of the Icelanders Confraternity, while a locally fabricated Beretta pistol was recovered from him. He added that the suspect was on remand awaiting trial.

Adewale said Ezeikiel Joel, 24, of Igbogene community, was also arrested, with an automatic pump-action gun, other light weapons and a drum allegedly used during meetings recovered from him.

He said Joel confessed in a video recording to being a member of the Kue Klux Klan (KKK) Confraternity.

The commissioner further disclosed that the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit arrested five suspects on October 5 in connection with attacks and reprisals involving cult groups.

The suspects were identified as Zaidamun Paul, Anthony Okorie, Gods gift Angel, Richman Kudi and Victor Kelsy. Exhibits recovered from them included a Beretta pistol, axes, cutlasses and knives.

On October 6, operatives acting on intelligence recovered a locally made revolver pistol and three live 9mm ammunition at Igbogene.

Adewale said the suspect fled through a nearby swamp upon sighting the police, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend him.

He said eight more suspects were arrested between October 7 and 8 in Akenfa, Igbogene and Swali communities.

Among them was Baratua-Pre Bara, 30, from Ogbia Local Government Area, who allegedly confessed to being the number two member of the Icelanders Confraternity in Yenagoa. The commissioner said he would be arraigned on Monday, October 12, 2026.

Other suspects were identified as Funkuro Bereh, 25, from Ekeremor LGA; Kelvin Adamu, 28, of Igbogene community; Vincent Ikieye, 20, from Gbarain, Southern Ijaw LGA; Benjamin Akeno, 26, from Okpoma, Brass LGA; Esuaye Ikeclear, 30, a musician from Famgbe, Yenagoa LGA; Gift Torie, 23, from Ikolo community; and Job Simon, 32, a businessman from Gbarain, Southern Ijaw LGA.

Adewale said the suspects confessed to being members of the Bobos Confraternity, adding that some were scheduled for arraignment on Monday.

The commissioner said the command recovered firearms and other exhibits during the operations, including locally fabricated pistols, Beretta pistols, revolver pistols and an automatic pump-action gun.

Other items recovered were nine rounds of live 9mm ammunition, five cutlasses, two battle axes, a drum, two cans of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, 17 bottles containing a codeine substance, a large bag of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis and 20 cartridges.

He said the activities of the cult groups had resulted in the deaths of four persons.

Adewale commended officers and men of the command, particularly personnel of the Doo Akpo Joint Task Force and other tactical teams, for their vigilance and commitment to the operations.

He also praised community stakeholders, including tricycle unions, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Bayelsa State, traditional rulers, Community Development Committees and youth leaders across Yenagoa, for their cooperation with the police.

He said the arrests demonstrated the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and residents in tackling crime.

“The Command will not allow criminals to dictate the atmosphere in our communities. We will pursue offenders within the bounds of the law, wherever they may seek refuge. We shall continue to deepen intelligence-driven policing, visibility patrols, and strengthen community partnerships,” Adewale said.

He urged residents to remain vigilant, provide timely and credible information to the police, and resist attempts by criminals and their collaborators to undermine peace in the state.

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