Bayelsa Police Arrest Over 20 Suspected Cultists After Fresh Violence

(Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Saka Adewale. Photo Credit: Police)

Police in Bayelsa State have arrested more than 20 people they believe are cultists.

The police spokesman, DSP Musa Mohammed, said this on Thursday.

He said the state is calm now and thanked communities for helping police catch the suspects.

The Commissioner of Police, Ajao Saka Adewale, will soon give a full statement.

The police have been going after cult members in Swali, Akenfa, Down Yenagoa, Agudama and other areas where cult activity is common.

Some of those arrested are said to be well known, and police are still looking for others.

The Commissioner has told his officers to patrol more, collect more information and stop any planned fights or recruitment of new members.

Not everyone is happy about how the raids were done.

In Onopa, residents protested after a young man was allegedly shot and arrested by police.

They said officers were picking up people for no reason.

Police said the young man did not die and is getting treatment at the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa.

All this started after fresh cult fights in Yenagoa at the weekend, where at least five people were feared dead.

The Commissioner said nobody will be spared and the fight against cultism will go on.

He also asked residents to tell police where suspected cultists are hiding and promised to keep their names secret.