By  Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa – The police in Bayelsa State, yesterday, said 35 suspected cultists, including a 27-year-old man allegedly involved in the killing and burying of a youth at Edepie suburb of Yenagoa, have been arrested in the state in the wake of its renewed clamp down on cultism in the state.

State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe, said 25 of the suspects had been arraigned in court, while investigation was on going to ascertain the involvement of the others in cultism.

Olakpe said gunboats had been deployed to creeks in the state to stem piracy and flush out members of the rampaging cult groups, who had reportedly relocated to the riverine enclave areas with a view to bringing them to justice.

The Army, Air Force, Navy and Police, he said, have commenced a joint patrol in Yenagoa, as part of efforts to boost security in the state.

Also in police custody is a 19-year-old youth who admitted to stabbing his play mate, Timibo Albert, to death over a minor disagreement at Igbomotoru in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state. The suspect told journalists that he was playing snooker with the deceased Albert, when an argument ensued which degenerated into a brawl.

Speaking on the development, the state commissioner of police said: “We have exhumed the corpse for further investigation.”

He stressed the need for parents, community leaders and other concerned citizens to come together to help assist security agencies in combating crime in their communities.