Police operatives in Bayelsa State have arrested 10 suspected cultists over last Sunday’s deadly attack at the Obele end of Ovom community in Yenagoa.

The attack claimed the life of a metal scavenger, popularly known as an “Iron Condemned” boy, while three others sustained injuries.

Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Iyamah Daniel, disclosed the arrests on Tuesday, saying the suspects were apprehended during a raid launched after residents of the Obele area alerted security operatives that armed cultists were on the rampage, shooting indiscriminately and robbing people of their phones and other valuables.

He said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly carried out a nighttime raid on the community, dispossessing residents of their belongings before encountering resistance from a group of metal scavengers, popularly known as “Iron Condemned.”

According to a source, the scavengers refused to surrender their mobile phones, prompting the assailants to allegedly open fire on them.

The source said, “The boys were on a massive raid. Many residents were caught unawares, while others fled into their homes for safety.

“The ‘Iron Condemned’ boys resisted handing over their phones, and this infuriated the cult boys, who started shooting.”

One of the victims later died in hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound, while the three others survived with varying degrees of injuries and are receiving treatment.

CP Iyamah reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling cult-related violence and other criminal activities across the state.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains vital to effective policing.

He also assured the public that everyone found to have been involved in the Obele attack would be prosecuted in accordance with the law. (Daily Trust)

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