Police Arrest 23 Suspected Cultists in Bayelsa, Recover Firearms After Deadly Violence.

Police Arrest 23 Suspected Cultists in Bayelsa, Recover Firearms After Deadly Violence.

Police in Bayelsa State have arrested 23 suspected cultists and recovered firearms, ammunition and suspected illicit drugs following a series of violent clashes between rival cult groups in Yenagoa, the state capital.

According to a report  on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the arrests followed intelligence-led operations conducted between September 23 and October 8 across several communities affected by cult-related violence.

The Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, Ajao Adewale, said the clashes and retaliatory attacks had resulted in four deaths, with other victims sustaining life-threatening injuries. The affected communities include Igbogene, Onopa, Ovom, Agudama, Amarata, Swali and Akenfa.

The police said the suspects were arrested in connection with alleged cultism, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearms and breaches of public peace. The operations involved personnel from the Anti Cultism Unit, the Violent Crime Response Unit and other tactical teams.

Weapons and Suspected Drugs Recovered

During the operations, police recovered several weapons and other items allegedly linked to criminal activities. The recovered materials included three locally made revolver pistols, nine rounds of live 9mm ammunition, 20 cartridges, five cutlasses, two battle axes and a drum allegedly used during cult meetings.

Officers also recovered two cans of nitrous oxide, 17 bottles of a substance identified by the police as codeine, and a bag of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis.

Among the suspects was a 24 year old man identified as Tarimie James, who was arrested in Ovom community. Police alleged that a locally fabricated pistol was recovered from him.

Another suspect, Ezeikiel Joel, also 24, was reportedly arrested in Igbogene with a pump-action firearm and other items. The police alleged that both men admitted links to different confraternities.

Additional arrests were made in Akenfa, Igbogene and Swali during coordinated operations on October 7 and 8. The police said investigations were continuing to establish the individual roles of the suspects and identify other people allegedly connected to the violence.

Police Intensify Crackdown on Cult Related Violence

The arrests follow growing security concerns over cult related attacks and reprisals in parts of Yenagoa. Such violence threatens residents’ safety, disrupts economic activities and places additional pressure on law enforcement agencies.

The Bayelsa State Police Command said it would sustain intelligence-driven operations and visibility patrols to prevent further attacks and bring those responsible for criminal activities to justice.

The police also urged parents, community leaders, traditional rulers and youth organisations to discourage young people from joining violent cult groups and to support efforts to improve security.

While the arrests represent a significant law enforcement operation, the outcome of the investigations and subsequent court proceedings will determine the legal responsibility of the suspects. Those arrested remain suspects unless proven guilty by a court of law.

The police have indicated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other individuals believed to be connected to the incidents.