PRESS BRIEFING BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, BAYELSA, CP AJAO SAKA ADEWALE, psc, mnips, FCAI, ON CULT-RELATED ACTIVIITES HELD ON 10TH OCTOBER, 2026.
PROTOCOL… Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, It is with immense pleasure that I welcome you to Bayelsa State Police Command today, on 9th October, 2026. As you all know, there has been a recent spate of cult-related violent activities within Yenagoa, with sizable displays of attacks and reprisals from opposing cult groups recorded in Igbogene, Onopa, Ovom, Agudama, Amarata, Swali and Akenfa axis, some of which have resulted in fatalities.
COMMAND RESPONSE The Command, in a swift response via intelligence-driven operations and visibility patrols across identified flashpoints and parks; arrested a total of Twenty-three (23) suspects in connection to cultism, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms, and other light weapons, notable among them are: 1. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTISTS/RECOVERY OF FIREARMS During a streak of coordinated and intelligence-driven operations spanning 23rd September to 5th October, 2026, the operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Command arrested the following suspects: a.
TARIMIE JAMES; a 24 yrs “m” of Ovum Community, arrested along St. Anglican Church in Ovum. He confessed on video record to be a member of the Icelander Confraternity. One locally fabricated Barretta Pistol was recovered from him and he is currently on remand, awaiting trial. b. EZEIKIEL JOEL; a 24 yrs “m” of Igbogene Community. One automatic pump-action gun, other light weapons and a drum used during their meetings were recovered from him.
He confessed on video record to be a member of the Kue Klus Klan’s men (KKK) Confraternity. 2. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTISTS IN CONNECTION TO CULTISM AND ATTEMPTED MURDER The Violent Crime Response Unit of the Command, on 5th October 2026, in the course of a coordinated operation to restore normalcy, arrested five (5) suspects in connection with attacks and reprisals by cult groups, resulting in life threatening injuries in some of the aforementioned communities.
The suspects include: 1. ZAIDAMUN PAUL 2. ANTHONY OKORIE 3. GODSGIFT ANGEL 4. RICHMAN KUDI 5. VICTOR KELSY Exhibits Recovered: One (1)Baretta pistol, Axes, cutlasses and knives were recovered from the suspects. 3. RECOVERY OF ABANDONED ARM On 6th October, 2026, the operative of the Command acting on actionable intelligence recovered a locally made revolver pistol with three (3) live 9mm ammunition at Ugbogene, abandoned by a suspect (name withheld) who has been on the watchlist of the command for the recent cult-related apprehensions in Ugbogene community.
The said suspect, upon sighting police operatives, escaped through a nearby swamp, abandoning the exhibit. Effort is ongoing to apprehend him. 4. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTISTS FOR BREACH OF PUBLIC PEACE On 7th- 8th October, 2026, which is barely two days ago, the operatives of the Command, during a joint and intelligence-driven operation, arrested eight ( suspects in connection to cultism and breach of public peace in; Akenfa, Igbogene and Swali communities respectively.
The suspects are: a. BARATUA-PRE BARA a 30 yrs “m” of Ogbia LGA, was arrested in Akenfa. He confessed on video to being the No. 2 of the Icelanders Confraternity in Yenagoa. The suspect will be arraigned in court on Monday 12/10/2026. IGBOGENE ARRESTS b. FUNKURO BEREH a 25 yrs “m” of Ekeremoh LGA, arrested at Igbogene park. He confessed on a video recording to be a member of the Bobos Confraternity.
The suspect will be arraigned in court soon. c. KELVIN ADAMU a 28 yrs “m” of Igbogene Community, arrested at Igbogene Motor Park. The suspect is currently on remand, awaiting trial and he confessed on video recording to being a member of the Bobos confraternity. SWALI COMMUNITY ARRESTS d. VINCENT IKIEYE a 20 yrs “m” of Gbarain, Southern Ijaw LGA. He was arrested on 8/10/2026 in Swali Community and handed over to the police by the community youths during a raid operation by the police.
The suspect confessed to being a member of the Bobos Confraternity and nicknamed “Small but mighty” The suspect will be arraigned on Monday 12/10/2026. e. BENJAMIN AKENO a 26 yrs “m” of Okpoma, Brass LGA. He was arrested on 8/10/2026 in Swali Community during a joint raid operation. The suspect confessed to being initiated into the Bobos Confraternity on 15th May, 2026 and he is nicknamed “Gentle Lion”. f.
ESUAYE IKECLEAR a 30 yrs “m” musician and native of Famgbe, Yenagoa LGA. The suspect was arrested in Swali, confessed to being inducted into the Bobos Confraternity in 10/9/2010 and nicknamed “Daki” g. GIFT TORIE “m” 23 yrs native of ikolo community, he confessed on video to being a member of the Bobos Confraternity. h. JOB SIMON 32 yrs businessman of Gbarain, Southern Ijaw LGA.
He confessed to being a member of the Bobos confraternity, nicknamed “VIP” He will be charged to court on Monday 12/10/2026 EXHIBITS RECOVERED FROM SUSPECTS INCLUDES: • Two (2) Cans of Nitrous Oxide A.K.A (Laughing Gas) • Seventeen (17) bottles of Codine Substance • A Celofyne bag of Dried leaves suspected to be Cannabis Sativa
CULT-RELATED KILLINGS It may interest you to know that the nefarious actions of these unscrupulous set of people have occasioned the death of four (4) persons.
BREAKDOWN TOTAL NO. OF SUSPECTS ARRESTED Twenty-three(23)
EXHIBIT RECOVERED • Eight ( FIREARMS (2 locally fabricated pistols, 3 Baretta Pistols, 3 Locally made revolver pistol, and 1 automatic pump-action) • Nine (9) live 9mm ammunition • FIVE (5) Cutlasses • Two (2) Battle axes • One (1) drum • Two (2) Cans of Nitrous Oxide A.K.A (Laughing Gas) • Seventeen (17) bottles of Codine Substance • A big bag of Dried leaves suspected to be Cannabis Sativa • Twenty (20) Catridges
WORDS OF APPRECIATION At this juncture, I wish to place on record my sincere appreciation to the officers and men of the Bayelsa State Police Command, particularly personnel of the Doo Akpo Joint Task Force and other tactical and operational teams, whose vigilance, courage, and commitment continue to provide practical meaning to our resolve to keep Bayelsa safe. I equally acknowledge the renewed cooperation of our critical community stakeholders.
Our recent engagements with tricycle unions, NURTW Bayelsa State, Traditional rulers, Community Development Committees, and youth leaders across Yenagoa were not merely ceremonial meetings; they were deliberate bridges of trust and intelligence-sharing, and I am pleased to state that the arrests being presented before you today are, in part, a testament to what becomes possible when the police and the people choose partnership over silence, vigilance over indifference, and collective responsibility over the assumption that security is the duty of the police alone.
CONCLUSION As we consolidate on these gains, let me be clear: The Command will not allow criminals to dictate the atmosphere in our communities. We will pursue offenders within the bounds of the law, wherever they may seek refuge. We shall continue to deepen intelligence-driven policing, Visibility patrols, strengthen community partnerships.
I therefore urge residents to remain vigilant, continue to provide timely and credible information, and resist every attempt by criminals or their collaborators to undermine the peace we collectively cherish. Thank you, and God bless.
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