Two recent graduates of the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, were brutally murdered by suspected cultists in the Gbarantoru community, Yenagoa Local Government Area, late Thursday night.
One of the victims was identified as Ayaokpo Sinclair from Tombia community, while the identity of the second victim had not been confirmed as of press time. Both victims were said to be awaiting their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) call-up.
According to Mr Tolummbofa Jonathan, Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in Bayelsa, the young men had gone out around 11 p.m. to buy some items when a group of armed boys drove into the area and began shouting “See them,” followed by chants of “aye, aye”—a slogan commonly associated with cult groups.
The attackers reportedly chased the two victims, using machetes to cut them. One of the victims tried to escape by jumping into a nearby creek but later died from his injuries. The second was killed on the spot.
Jonathan said the driver of the vehicle that brought the cultists initially tried to rescue the injured man, who was said to be his relative. However, the attackers returned, overpowered the driver, and continued the assault until the victim became unconscious. He later died at the community clinic where vigilante members had rushed him for treatment.
The police have since launched an investigation into the killings. Bayelsa State Police Command spokesperson, Mr Musa Mohammed, confirmed that some suspects, including the vehicle driver, have been arrested. The State Criminal Investigation Department is now leading efforts to track down the remaining suspects.
Cult-related violence remains a growing concern in Bayelsa and across many parts of southern Nigeria, especially among young people in higher institutions and their surrounding communities.
