₦70,000 Debt Ends in Bloodshed: Police Nab Eight Suspected Cultists, Recover Drugs and Charms
By Passman Akpos
YENAGOA, BAYELSA — Operatives of the Bayelsa State Police Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) have arrested eight suspected cultists following the alleged violent assault of a 300-level student of Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, at a hotel in Yenagoa.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, the incident occurred at about 10:00 p.m. on July 14, 2026, after police received a distress call from a concerned resident reporting that a group of young men suspected to be cult members had attacked one Prince Hansen, a male student of Niger Delta University, at a hotel located along Mike Okokpo Street in Yenagoa.
Police said the suspects allegedly descended on the student, inflicting grievous bodily injuries on him over an allegation that he owed ₦70,000.
Responding swiftly to the emergency call, operatives of the VCRU stormed the location and arrested eight suspects identified as Desmond Linus (20), Richman Serbokuro (21), Plain Lion (19), Richman Joel (20), Solomon Damian (23), Destiny Serbokuro (24), Isaac Goodnews (22), and Theresa Francis (22).
The police disclosed that six of the suspects are students of Niger Delta University, Amassoma.
During a search conducted after the arrests, officers reportedly recovered substances suspected to be Indian hemp, Swinol, and traditional charms, which have been taken into custody as exhibits for further investigation.
The Bayelsa State Police Command said investigations are ongoing to determine the roles played by each suspect, adding that they would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Command also reaffirmed its determination to rid Bayelsa State of cult-related violence and other criminal activities.
It urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains essential in the fight against crime and in ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.
Police have not disclosed the identities of the six other individuals reportedly linked to the incident who remain under investigation. The condition of the assaulted student was also not immediately made public.
