Suspected cultists raze police station in Bayelsa

Armed men suspected to be members of a secret cult on Wednesday attacked and burnt down a Police division in Oporoma, Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State.

The state police spokesperson, DSP Asinim Butswat who confirmed the attacked, said the suspected criminals were trying to release their kingpin, who was detained in the station.

The police spokesperson said, “A preliminary report indicates that a suspected cultist who was on Police wanted list for various heinous crimes such as; kidnapping, sea robbery, armed robbery, and acts of pipeline vandalism, was arrested and detained at the Oporoma Police Division, Southern Ijaw LGA, preparatory to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Intelligence Department (SCIID) in Yenagoa.”

He added that the suspect yesterday attempted to escape from lawful custody and was shot by the police officer on duty.

He said other members of the suspected cult group mobilized and attacked officers on duty at the Police Division and set the station ablaze.

Butswat said additional policemen have been deployed from the state headquarters to restore normalcy in the community.