YENAGOA, Nigeria — The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested eight suspected cultists for allegedly assaulting a student of the Niger Delta University (NDU) over a N70,000 debt, according to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Musa Muhammed, on Saturday.
The student, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly attacked and beaten by the suspects in the Amassoma community. The victim is said to be receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during the assault.
The police spokesperson confirmed that the suspects were arrested following a report by the victim. The command has launched an investigation into the incident and the broader activities of cult groups in the state.
The Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, Aliyu Abubakar, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident and warned that the command would not tolerate any form of cult-related violence or criminality capable of disrupting public peace.
The police have also called on residents to provide timely and useful information to law enforcement agencies to help curb the menace of cultism and other forms of criminality in the state.
The arrested suspects are currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. The command has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that cultists and other criminal elements are brought to justice.
