Three die, others injured in Bayelsa cult clash

MARCH 13, 2012 BY MIKE ODIEGWU, YENAGOA

Unidentified gunmen believed to be cultists attacked bars along Hospital Road Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Sunday night, killing at least three persons including a sex worker.

THE PUNCH learnt that the bandits, who allegedly wore police bulletproof vests, stormed the relaxation spots about 9.30pm and opened fire on the fun-seekers.

It was learnt that the majority of those who escaped death sustained various degrees of injuries from the attacks.

The incident created commotion in the area as people were said to have scampered to safety.

Our correspondent, who visited the area, observed that tables and chairs were turned upside down following the pandemonium that resulted from the attack.

Bottles and cups were also scattered and blood stains were seen on the ground.

The area was deserted following the attack that created fears of renewed cult-related violence in the capital city.

According to eyewitnesses, trouble started about 4.30pm when suspected cultists shot an undergraduate of the Niger Delta University, Amasoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

The 23-year-old student, who was said to have matriculated on Saturday, was allegedly shot at close range by his assailants near a fast food outlet along Azikoro Road, Yenagoa.

Eyewitnesses said the victim was standing beside one of his friends near the gate of the fast food outlet when the bandits accosted and opened fire on him.

The incident took place close to the Ekeki Police Station, ‘B’ Division.

Our correspondent learnt that the victim was a cousin of the former member of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, Mr. Eris Paul, popularly called Ogunboss.

Ogunboss was said to have rushed the victim to the Glory Land Hospital on Hospital Road.

Sensing that their victim could still be alive, the cultists were said to have regrouped and moved to the hospital where he was receiving treatment.

They were said to have carried out the shooting at the bars close to the hospital to create a stir that would give them access to the clinic.

However, unknown to them, the patient had been relocated to an undisclosed hospital before their arrival.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Eguavoen Emokpae, confirmed the shooting but said only two persons were killed.

“There was a cult-related clash at Hospital Road. We received a distress call, intervened and arrested about six persons who are helping us in our investigation. One male and one female died in the attack and their corpses have been deposited in a hospital,” he said.