A 30-year-old man, Darlington Watson, was tragically stoned to death on Wednesday evening in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, in what appears to be an ongoing feud between rival cult groups. Watson, a member of the Greenlanders, was brutally attacked by members of the Bobous cult group as tensions between the two factions continue to rise over control of the new transport terminal in the Igbogene community, located on the outskirts of the state capital.
The attack took place in the Agudama-Epie area of Yenagoa, around 5:15 pm, when Watson was travelling in a tricycle, commonly known as a “keke.” Eyewitnesses reported that members of the rival Bobous group stopped the vehicle, dragged Watson out, and proceeded to assault him with sticks and stones until he succumbed to his injuries.
One eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, described the shocking incident: “The boy was in a tricycle when suspected members of a rival cult group stopped the vehicle, dragged him out, and brutally assaulted him with sticks and stones until he succumbed to he died. It all happened right opposite a Pentecostal church in Agudama-Epie.”
According to the witness, Watson’s family immediately took his body for burial before the police patrol team arrived on the scene. The attackers had fled the area before law enforcement could respond.
The murder of Darlington Watson is the latest in a series of violent events linked to the power struggle between the Greenlanders and Bobous cult groups. The groups are fighting for dominance in Yenagoa and surrounding areas, with the new transport terminal at Igbogene being a key point of contention. These cults, which are involved in a variety of illegal activities, often clash violently in a bid to control resources and territories.
In recent months, the cult war has intensified, leaving several victims in its wake. Many of the killings have been attributed to rivalry between these two groups, who engage in violent clashes, extortion, and other criminal activities to strengthen their hold on power.
The ongoing violence has left the residents of Yenagoa on edge, with many fearful for their safety. The attacks are not only a threat to those involved in the cults but also to innocent bystanders who find themselves caught in the crossfire.
The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the details of the incident and has vowed to intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible for Watson’s death. According to the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Musa Mohammed, the police were alerted to the incident shortly after the murder occurred.
In a statement on Thursday, Mohammed provided further details, stating that the police were aware of the ongoing cult clash at Agudama-Epie. He confirmed that Watson, a member of the Greenlanders group, was attacked by the Bobous cult members. “Information at my disposal has it that yesterday (Wednesday), at about 7:00 pm, based on information received, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) led the patrol team to the area,” Mohammed explained.
“The Bobous and Greenlander cult groups were clashing at Agudama-Epie, and during the conflict, one Darlington Watson, 30 years old, from the community and a member of the Greenlander group, was inflicted with machete cuts and stoned to death by the rival group,” he continued.
Mohammed also revealed that by the time the police arrived, Watson’s family had already removed the body for burial, and the attackers had fled the scene. Despite the challenges, the police have assured the public that an investigation is underway to track down the suspects.
“The investigation has been intensified, and we are doing everything possible to bring those responsible for this brutal killing to justice,” he said. He also used the opportunity to urge young people to avoid becoming involved in cultism and other criminal activities, which have caused so much harm in the community.
Cultism has been a persistent issue in Bayelsa State for many years. Bayelsa, which is rich in oil and natural resources, has long been a hotspot for cult activity, as various groups compete for control of the wealth and power that these resources generate. This has led to violent clashes, often resulting in loss of life and property.
