By Julius Agadaga, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested 23 suspected cultists and recovered firearms, ammunition and suspected illicit substances during intelligence-led operations across Yenagoa and its environs.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Adewale, disclosed this on Saturday at the command headquarters in Yenagoa, while briefing journalists.
Adewale said the operations were carried out between September 23 and October 8, 2026, in communities including Igbogene, Ovom, Akenfa, Swali, Onopa, Agudama-Epie and Amarata.
He said the arrests followed reports of violent clashes and reprisal attacks among rival cult groups, which reportedly resulted in four deaths.
According to him, items recovered from the suspects included locally fabricated pistols, a pump-action gun, ammunition, cutlasses, battle axes, suspected cannabis, substances suspected to be codeine and nitrous oxide.
The commissioner said some of the suspects would be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend other fleeing suspects.
He commended officers and men of the command as well as community stakeholders for their cooperation and support during the operations.
Adewale urged residents to continue to provide credible information to security agencies, reaffirming the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and sustained operations to curb cultism and restore peace across the state.
