By Admin 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Yenagoa
DELTA: A violent cult clash between rival groups has left one person dead and another critically injured in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. The incidents occurred in the Amarata community, close to the Government House, throwing residents into panic.
It was gathered that a youth identified as Frank, popularly known as Akiman, was shot dead on Friday night at Punch Road by gun-wielding members of a rival cult group. On Saturday morning, another individual was critically injured in what is believed to be a retaliatory attack.
The clash, involving the Bobos and Greenlanders cult groups, reportedly began on January 8, 2025, in Igbogene community, where three people were killed. The violence has since spread to other parts of Yenagoa, with rival gangs hunting each other in various neighborhoods.
“They shot him in the arm first, but when he tried to escape, they pursued him to a corner and shot him in the head. After the killing, they fired shots into the air to scare residents away,” a witness narrated.
The attackers, said to be over six in number, carried out the killing around 9 p.m. on Friday, forcing shop owners and residents to flee, abandoning their wares and belongings.
On Saturday morning, the tension escalated as the slain youth’s group retaliated, wielding guns, machetes, and other dangerous weapons. They attacked another youth, whose condition remains uncertain, further spreading fear across the community.
“We are living in fear. The government must intervene because these clashes are becoming too frequent and dangerous,” a resident who pleaded anonymity told Daily Trust.
The cult groups are reportedly battling for control of a newly constructed multi-million naira motor park at Igbogene, a development that has heightened tensions in surrounding communities.
Commercial activities in Amarata came to a halt on Saturday as residents and business owners locked up their shops, fearing further violence.
Efforts to reach Bayelsa Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Muhammad, for comments were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or text messages at the time of this report.
Residents are now calling on the state government and security agencies to act swiftly to restore peace and prevent further bloodshed.