By SHEDRACK FRANK

The Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), of the Bayelsa Police Command, has arrested eight suspected cultists at Mike Okpokpor area of the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the spokesman of the command, Mr Musa Mohammed and made available to newsmen in Bayelsa on Saturday.

Mohammed said that the cultists were arrested following a distress call it received on July 14 at 11p.m. by a resident.

He said that a group of eight people suspected to be cultists, who lodged in a hotel, ganged up and beat-up a 300-level student of Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, within the hotel premises.

“They caused him grievous bodily harm over an allegation that he was owing them N70,000.

“The VCRU swung into action and arrested seven males and one female suspects, whose ages ranged from 19 to 23,” he said.

He alleged that six of the suspects were students of NDU, Amassoma, and substance such as weed suspected to be Indian hemp, Swinol and charms were recovered from them.

According to him, investigation is ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.

Mohammed reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to combat cultism and other violent crimes across the state.

He urged members of the public to continue to provide timely and credible information to the police to enhance public safety and security. (NAN)