The Bayelsa Police Command has secured a ceasefire among warring cult groups in the state following a spike in violent clashes that claimed seven lives within a week. The violence, which erupted in Yenagoa’s Igbogene, Amarata, Swali, and Ekeki areas, stemmed from a struggle over revenue control at the newly-relocated state transport terminal in Igbogene.
Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, deployed tactical measures to address the crisis, ordering the Operation Puff Adder team, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, to summon the cult leaders. Initially, the leaders avoided police invitations, fearing arrests. However, they later sought an audience with the Commissioner to negotiate a resolution.
During the two-day meeting, attended by ten leaders of various cult groups, an agreement was reached to halt all forms of violence. The leaders pledged to send directives to their members and accepted that any future incidents of violence would result in the arrest and prosecution of the involved group’s leader.
The ongoing rivalry is fueled by the Greenlanders’ control over the transport terminal’s revenue and attempts by rival groups like the Icelanders, Vikings, Bobos, and Dee-bams to claim a share. The ceasefire aims to prevent further bloodshed and restore peace to the affected areas.
Despite the signed undertakings, the police have confirmed that investigations into past killings are still underway. The authorities have vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice to deter future occurrences.
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