By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Bayelsa
Bayelsa: Two young graduates of the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, who were eagerly awaiting their call-up for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), have been brutally murdered by suspected cultists in Gbarantoru-Ekpetiama, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The victims, one identified as Ayaokpo Sinclair from Tombia Community, and his friend whose identity was yet to be confirmed, were reportedly ambushed around 11pm on Thursday by armed assailants who stormed the quiet community in a vehicle.
The Bayelsa State Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Mr. Tolummbofa Akpoebibo Jonathan, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust, revealing that the young men had simply stepped out to buy something when their attackers arrived.
“They came into the community in a car and started shouting ‘see them!’ Immediately, they began chanting ‘aye, aye’ — a known cult slogan — and without warning, launched their attack with machetes,” he said.
According to Jonathan, one of the victims initially escaped with deep machete wounds after diving into a nearby creek. “He managed to swim out and was even helped by the driver of the car the cultists used. The driver recognized him as a relative and tried to protect him. But when the attackers returned and saw him, they overwhelmed the driver and hacked the young man until he became unconscious.”
He added that efforts to save the victim failed despite rushing him to the community health centre. “Unfortunately, he died while receiving first aid. The police were immediately notified and the corpses were moved to the morgue.”
The driver of the vehicle who allegedly brought the cultists into the community has been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to track down the other perpetrators.
Confirming the development, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Musa Mohammed, said: “Yes, some arrests have been made and the investigation has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department. We are on the trail of the fleeing suspects.”
The killings have sparked fear among residents of the area, raising concerns about the rise in cult-related violence targeting young people in Bayelsa communities.