YENAGOA — The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested two suspected cultists following the killing of a Niger Delta University student during a suspected cult clash in Amassoma. The deceased, identified as Ebube Jonathan, 20, a 200-level Management Science student, was attacked along Kabaka Street in Amassoma at about 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Police said Jonathan, suspected to be a member of the Black Axe confraternity, was hacked with machetes and shot before being confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
Police operatives from Amassoma Division arrested two suspects at Ending Pele in Amassoma while they were allegedly mobilising to avenge Jonathan’s death. The suspects are Godswin Adobu, 24, a 300-level Fine and Applied Arts student, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Niger Delta University, and Tarilaefa Fesingha, 21. Police recovered two locally made pistols, two live rounds of 9mm ammunition, and suspected illicit drugs.
Police Public Relations Officer DSP Musa Mohammed said: “Following a swift follow-up operation, operatives responded promptly and arrested the two suspects, who had allegedly mobilised in an attempt to avenge the death of their gang member.” Commissioner of Police Iyamah Daniel Edebor reiterated the command’s resolve to tackle cult-related violence, warning criminal elements to abandon unlawful acts or face the full weight of the law. Cult-related violence has remained a recurring security challenge in Amassoma, home to Niger Delta University. Rival confraternities have been linked to several violent clashes recently, resulting in deaths and heightened security concerns.