Tension has risen in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, following the killing of Olotu Wanemi Omubo, an alleged leader of the Bobos cult group. Omubo, who was also a beneficiary of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and a leader of the Phase 2 amnesty beneficiaries in Bayelsa, was shot dead in an apparent cult-related attack on Thursday night.
Reports indicate that Omubo, a native of Nembe in the Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa, was trailed by a rival cult group to the residence of a female friend along Good News Street, Azikoro Road. At about 9:00 p.m., assailants shot him three times—twice in the head and once in the chest. They also struck his head with heavy stones to ensure he was dead before fleeing the scene.
The killing has sent shockwaves through the community, particularly among members of the Bobos group, who believe the assailants may have been external marksmen hired by their rivals. The murder is believed to be part of a long-standing battle for dominance between the Bobos, Greenlanders, and Vikings cult groups in the state.
Omubo’s death is not an isolated incident. Investigations revealed that the Bobos group had been involved in a recent shooting of a suspected leader of the Vikings cult, identified as Christian. The shooting occurred at the Kimowei filling station area of Amarata, where Christian was shot in the shoulder and is now in critical condition in an undisclosed hospital.
This shooting sparked further violence, leading to the invasion of Swali, a suburb of Yenagoa, during Easter Sunday. Four individuals were reportedly killed in that attack, further escalating the conflict between the rival cult factions.
The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the killing, with spokesperson Musa Mohammed stating that the police received reports of the incident along Azikoro Road. However, they are still awaiting full details. Another police source revealed that authorities are closely monitoring the situation and investigating the key players involved in the ongoing cult war.
Cult violence has been a persistent issue in Bayelsa, with rival groups often clashing over territory and influence. The government and law enforcement agencies continue to grapple with the rise in cult-related crimes, which threaten the safety of residents in the state.
As the situation develops, residents of Yenagoa are on edge, fearful that the ongoing cult conflicts will lead to more violence in the region. Police efforts to curb the violence are ongoing, but the success of these measures will depend on tackling the root causes of the cult rivalry and ensuring the safety of citizens in the area.
