Police arrest 23 suspected cultists in Bayelsa, recover weapons

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested 23 suspected cultists in connection with cult-related violence, attempted murder and breach of public peace in Yenagoa and its environs.

The Commissioner of Police, Ajao Saka Adewale, disclosed this during a press briefing in Yenagoa on Saturday, saying four people had been killed in recent cult-related attacks and reprisals involving rival groups.

Adewale said the incidents were recorded in Igbogene, Onopa, Ovom, Agudama, Amarata, Swali and Akenfa, prompting the command to intensify intelligence-driven operations and visibility patrols across identified flashpoints.

He said the operations, carried out by the Anti-Cultism Unit, Violent Crime Response Unit and other tactical teams, led to the arrest of 23 suspects and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, dangerous weapons and substances suspected to be illicit drugs.

“The Command will not allow criminals to dictate the atmosphere in our communities,” Adewale said.

“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.”

Giving details of the arrests, the commissioner said operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit arrested two suspected cultists during coordinated operations conducted between September 23 and October 5, 2026.

One of the suspects, identified as Tarimie James, 24, from Ovom community, was arrested near St. Anglican Church in Ovom. The police said a locally fabricated Beretta pistol was recovered from him.

According to Adewale, James allegedly confessed to being a member of the Icelanders Confraternity. He was said to be on remand awaiting trial.

Another suspect, Ezeikiel Joel, 24, from Igbogene community, was arrested with a pump-action gun, other weapons and a drum allegedly used during cult meetings. The police said he confessed to belonging to the Kue Klux Klan’s Men (KKK) Confraternity.

The commissioner said the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested five suspects on October 5 in connection with cult attacks and reprisals that left some victims with life-threatening injuries.

The suspects were identified as Zaidamun Paul, Anthony Okorie, Godsgift Angel, Richman Kudi and Victor Kelsy.

Adewale said a Beretta pistol, axes, cutlasses and knives were recovered during the operation.

He added that police operatives recovered a locally made revolver pistol and three rounds of live 9mm ammunition at Ugbogene on October 6.

The weapon was allegedly abandoned by a suspect who fled through a nearby swamp after sighting police operatives. The commissioner said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

Adewale further disclosed that eight suspects were arrested during joint operations conducted on October 7 and 8 in Akenfa, Igbogene and Swali communities over alleged cultism and breach of public peace.

Among them was Baratua-Pre Bara, 30, who was arrested in Akenfa and allegedly confessed to being the number two member of the Icelanders Confraternity in Yenagoa. The police said he was expected to be arraigned on Monday, October 12.

Other suspects included Funkuro Bereh, 25, and Kelvin Adamu, 28, who were arrested in Igbogene, as well as Vincent Ikiye, 20; Benjamin Akeno, 26; Esuaye Ikeclear, 30; Gift Torie, 23; and Job Simon, 32, who were arrested during operations in Swali and surrounding areas.

The police said the suspects allegedly confessed to belonging to various confraternities, including the Bobos Confraternity. Some were scheduled to be arraigned, while investigations continued.

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Items recovered during the operations included two cans of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas; 17 bottles of a substance identified by the police as codeine; and a bag of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis.

Adewale said the command was determined to sustain the crackdown until those responsible for the violence were brought to justice.

“We are determined to sustain the momentum of these operations until those responsible for the recent violence are brought before the law. We will not allow cult-related activities to continue threatening the lives and livelihoods of innocent residents,” he said.

He said the recovery of firearms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons underscored the seriousness of the threat and the need for continued intelligence-led operations.

“The recovery of firearms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons from suspects underscores the seriousness of the threat we are confronting. We will continue to act on credible intelligence to prevent these weapons from being used to cause further harm,” the commissioner said.

The police chief also called on parents, traditional rulers, community leaders and youth organisations to support the campaign against cultism, particularly by discouraging young people from joining confraternities involved in violence.

“Parents and guardians must pay close attention to the activities and associations of their children. We must collectively discourage young people from joining cult groups and educate them on the consequences of criminal activities,” he said.

He commended community youths for cooperating with the police during recent operations and urged residents to continue providing useful information to security agencies.

“Our recent engagements with tricycle unions, NURTW Bayelsa State, traditional rulers, Community Development Committees, and youth leaders across Yenagoa were not merely ceremonial meetings; they were deliberate bridges of trust and intelligence-sharing,” Adewale said.

He added that the arrests demonstrated the importance of cooperation between security agencies and residents in tackling criminal activities.

“The arrests being presented before you today are, in part, a testament to what becomes possible when the police and the people choose partnership over silence, vigilance over indifference, and collective responsibility over the assumption that security is the duty of the police alone,” he said.

Adewale urged residents of the affected communities to remain calm, report suspicious activities and avoid spreading unverified information capable of heightening tension.

“We appeal to residents of Igbogene, Onopa, Ovom, Agudama, Amarata, Swali and Akenfa to remain calm and cooperate with security personnel. We are committed to protecting lives and property and ensuring that peace returns to every affected community,” he said.

He warned suspected cult leaders and their associates against further criminal activities, insisting that the command would continue to enforce the law.

“Our message to members of cult groups is clear: abandon violence and surrender any illegal weapons in your possession. Anyone who chooses to engage in criminal activities will be dealt with according to the law,” the commissioner said.

He also appealed to residents to provide timely and credible information to the police.

“I urge residents to remain vigilant, continue to provide timely and credible information, and resist every attempt by criminals or their collaborators to undermine the peace we collectively cherish,” Adewale said.

The command said it would sustain intelligence-driven operations, visibility patrols and community engagement to curb cult-related violence and ensure that suspects were prosecuted in accordance with the law.