Following the ongoing cult-related killings in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, authorities of the State Command of the Nigeria Police Force have reportedly initiated a conflict resolution mechanism to enforce ‘ceasefire’ from warring cult group leaders in the State.
The Command warned that further conflict and killings would lead to automatic arrest and prosecution of the identified leaders.
Cult-related clashes had resulted in the killings of seven persons in the last week along the Igbogene, Amarata, Swali and Ekeki suburbs of the state capital. Three youths of the same parents were shot dead in the bloodshed.
Cause of bloodshed
The cause of the crisis is the struggle for control of the share of revenue from the newly established State Transport Terminal located at Igbogene.
It was also gathered that the Igbogene axis, where the Bus terminal is located is under the control of the Greenlanders Cult group, but other cult groups such as Icelanders, Vikings, Bobos and Dee-bams were struggling to have a share of the expected revenues.
It was learnt that the State Commissioner of Police, who is angry with the rising cases of killings, ordered the tactical team of Operation Puff Adder led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo to invite all the leaders of the cult groups for a meeting to resolve the matter.
It was also gathered that the leaders of the cult groups, after declining an earlier invitation out of fear of the tactical team, approached the top echelon of the police to meet with the State Commissioner of Police over the issue.
At the meeting, which started on Monday and ended on Tuesday, it was gathered that about ten heads of cult groups in the state agreed that “forthwith, all cases of violence and killings must stop”.
They also agreed to send messages to all their foot soldiers on the agreement.
They further submitted that the police should hold any leader of any cult group identified in any further violence responsible
A reliable security source said the undertaking was signed to bring a halt to the killings and bloodshed but that investigation into individuals responsible for the killings is ongoing and they will be brought to book.
