The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed it has arrested 17 suspects in connection with the gruesome murder of two graduates of the state-owned Nigeria Delta University at Gbarantoru Community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were arrested by men of the Rapid Response Squad, headed by one Bishop Elemide , who mounted a stop and search operation along Amassoma road on Friday night.
Among the 17 suspects are four suspected cyber fraudsters who allegedly sponsored the killing of the two graduates, Ayaokpo Sinclair and his colleague.
A police source revealed to this correspondent on Sunday that upon receiving a radio alert, the RRS immediately swung into action by mounting the stop and search operation and discovered over 13 boys who were cramped inside a Suzuki minibus with blood stains.
The source stated: “We saw over 13 boys cramped inside with blood stains on few of them and machetes stained with blood. The police immediately suspected they were the ones that carried out the killing.
“Upon questioning, the police discovered that they went to the scene of the crime in two minibuses. One developed fault while they were escaping and they decided to abandon it and use one minibus.
Another police officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “The boys were suspected members of the notorious Vikings cult group, and that the killing of the two university graduates was sponsored by some four yahoo boys.”
When contacted the Command’s spokesman, Musa Mohammed, confirmed that some arrests were made by the men of the RRS and the level of involvement of each suspect is under investigation.
“Yes, some major arrests have been made, and the command is investigating,” Mohammed said on Sunday.
There is an ongoing rumour that the two murdered graduates are alleged members of the Neo Black Movement known as Black Axe Aye, while others claimed they were members of the Bobos cult group.
Press learnt from some fun seekers in bars and lounges in Yenagoa, who claimed to have noticed strange movements as some fearsome looking boys are searching for rival cult members to slay.
According to them, in the past one week, there have been sounds of gunshot in some parts of Yenagoa believed to be exchange of gun fire among rival cult groups which has sparked fears among residents.
On Sunday morning, Swali Ultra-Modern Market was thrown into confusion with heavy exchange of gunshots which led to the killing of one person.
While a police source claimed that some are from police men chasing after cult boys reportedly driving around town in covered plate numbered cars, others claimed the shooting was among rival cult groups.
