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One dead as cult groups clash in Bayelsa

One dead as cult groups clash in Bayelsa

Some of the suspects and weapons recovered by the Edo State Police Command during the parade of 32 suspected robbers and kidnappers in Benin City, yesterday. Photo: Barnabas Uzosike.

By Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa— A young man was reportedly killed, Tuesday, following a clash between two suspected rival cult groups in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

The deceased, in his 20s, from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state, was identified as Blessing Amakiri.

The incident, which occurred at the Ovom suburb of Yenagoa at about 4.30p.m., was said to have caused panic in the densely-populated area.

Vanguard could not immediately ascertain if the deceased was hit by the cultists’ bullet or bullets from the police team said to have responded to distress call from the residents.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, wondered why the police initially abandoned the corpse only to return and remove same to the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.

Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident, saying it occurred after a clash between two rival cult groups.

Butswat said the corpse of Amakiri was identified by his mother.