The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested two suspected cultists, including a 300-Level student of the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, for allegedly mobilizing to avenge the killing of a fellow student.
Arrest and Recovery of Weapons
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Musa Mohammed, disclosed in a statement on Thursday, July 9, 2026, that the suspects were arrested while preparing to retaliate over the death of Ebube Jonathan, a 200-Level Management Science student at NDU. The police recovered two locally made pistols with two live 9mm ammunition from the suspects.
Details of the Killing
Jonathan was attacked by unidentified assailants along Kabaka Street in Amassoma at about 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. He was hacked with machetes and shot before being confirmed dead by a medical doctor. He was suspected to be a member of the Black Axe confraternity.
The police statement read: “On Tuesday, 7th July 2026, at about 1400 hours, one Ebube Jonathan ‘m’, 200-Level student of Management Science, Niger Delta University, Amassoma, and a suspected member of the Black Axe Confraternity, was attacked by yet to be identified assailants along Kabaka Street, Amassoma. The victim was macheted, shot, and later confirmed dead by a medical doctor.”
Swift Police Response
Following a swift follow-up operation at about 4 p.m. on the same day, operatives attached to Amassoma Division responded promptly and arrested two suspects: Godswin Adobu, 24, a 300-Level student of Fine and Applied Arts, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, NDU, and Tarilaefa Fesingha, 21. Both were arrested at Ending Pele, Amassoma, for allegedly mobilizing to avenge the death of their gang member.
Police Warning and Public Appeal
The Commissioner of Police reiterated the command’s commitment to combating cultism and other violent crimes across the state. He warned criminal elements to desist from unlawful activities or face the full weight of the law. He also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police to support ongoing efforts to rid Bayelsa State of criminality.
