Crime
Bayelsa cult leader killed by gang members over leadership tussle
The Bayelsa State Police Command has revealed how the leader of the Bobos cult group, Olotu Omubo, was killed by some of his members who planned to benefit from a change of leadership.
Bayelsa State Police Commissioner, Mr Francis Idu, made the revelation on Monday during an interactive session with some journalists in his office in Yenagoa.
The late Omubo, who hailed from Nembe in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was also a beneficiary of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and leader of the Phase 2 Amnesty beneficiaries in the state.
His killing along Goodnews Street in the Azikoro axis of Yenagoa on Thursday, April 24 remained a mystery with fingers pointing at rival cult groups until the police disclosure.
It was also thought the killing was carried out by some external mercenaries who were recruited for the act in retaliation for other killings allegedly ordered by him.
Idu said there was an intra cult war within the Bobos cult group and those members behind the killing had the aim of profiting from a new leadership.
He assured residents of and end to the cult killings in the state stressing that despite the fact that late Omubo was a notorious cultist who had a record of crimes, he was killed by his own gang members.
The commissioner further disclosed that the police had no option than to let him off the hook when they held him for illegal possession of firearms, but did not give details.
Idu said that “95 per cent of intelligence available to the police showed that he died due to intra cult rivalry about leadership struggle. They took him out and made it look like inter cult rivalry in order to profit from his death.
“It is on good authority that the deceased has been involved in nefarious activity. The last altercation with the police is over the issue of illegal gun possession.
“He was controversially influenced to be let off the hook and that is why I have always said when you influence the release of a criminal off the hook, you are building a disastrous effect,” he said.
Idu also announced the arrest of nine suspects for their alleged involvement in various crimes including cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and murder.
In one of the cases, a 50-year native of Gombe State, Mohammed Adamu, was arrested alongside Adiamakubo Orubo, 37, over the alleged disappearance of one Ashiru Ishiaku, a 26-year old native of Kano State along with his tricycle on the 29th of April, 2025.
Also arrested was a member of the notorious Islanders cult group, David Ngo, 36, native of Brass Local Government Area over the alleged stabbing to death of one Goodwill Ovuru at Agudama-Ekpetiama Community, Yenagoa Local Government Area on the 16th of April, 2025.
At Onopa Community also in Yenagoa Local Government Area, one Monday Daniel, 28, was arrested by the police for alleged armed robbery attack on one Amarachi Emeachi at her residence around Revenue House, Onopa.
According to the Police Commissioner, “a group of four men armed with guns dispossessed her of her Redmi phone valued at N180,000.”
He further stated that “On the 4th of May, 2025, one Endurance Odambe Chinedu, 24, from Ndokwa-East Local Government Area of Delta State was arrested at Agbia community in Yenagoa at 1.00pm with 10 live cartridges.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of the Black Axe confraternity also known as Aye cult group. During execution of search warrant, a battle axe, a black beret bearing the cult group insignia and crusher was recovered in his house.”
Two police officers have been killed after suspected armed herders ambushed the convoy of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The latest attack occurred on Monday evening, barely four days after another deadly incident in the community reportedly left four policemen and seven residents dead.
Community sources said the DPO had travelled to Makurdi on official duty and was returning to Ayilamo when his entourage came under attack.
One of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the victims were among newly deployed Mobile Police officers stationed in the area.
He said the officers were attacked at about 6pm while travelling from Ayilamo to escort the DPO back to the community from Makurdi.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, said two officers attached to the DPO’s entourage were killed in the attack.
“The DPO came to Makurdi to collect some things, and while returning to Ayilamo, he was attacked and lost two of his men in the attack,” Aondongu said.
The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over the security situation in Ayilamo, where repeated attacks have resulted in casualties among security personnel and residents.
The Nigeria Police Force has placed its formations nationwide on red alert following intelligence reports of planned terrorist attacks on worship centres, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other public places.
The alert followed fresh intelligence indicating increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on vulnerable targets across the country.
Police authorities also reportedly received intelligence on the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.
The operational order was contained in a police wireless message dated September 13, 2026, with reference number CB: 0900/FDPS/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL38/68, issued by the Department of Operations at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Marked “Security General” and tagged “Treat as Very Important,” the message was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1–17, Mobile Police formations, counter-terrorism and other specialised units, as well as Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The police directed formations to intensify vigilance and take proactive measures to prevent criminal and terrorist elements from carrying out attacks.
The warning specifically highlighted places of worship, educational institutions, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable public locations as potential targets.
A 16-year-old boy, Favour Ayogu, who was allegedly abducted in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, has been rescued in Onitsha, Anambra State, after his abductors reportedly abandoned him near a security checkpoint.
Ayogu was rescued on the evening of September 13, 2026, by a joint security patrol team operating along Oguta Road, Onitsha.
According to the Anambra State Police Command, the teenager was found at Ekene Junction after unidentified persons reportedly pushed him out of a black Toyota Highlander SUV close to a security checkpoint.
The patrol team immediately intervened and rescued the victim, thereby preventing what the police described as further danger to his life.
Following the rescue, the Command said it had intensified surveillance and intelligence-led operations to identify and apprehend members of the suspected criminal gang responsible for the abduction.
The police also appealed to residents of Igboeze South and Ibagwa-Aka in Enugu State who may have useful information about Ayogu or his family to contact the nearest police station or the Anambra State Police Command in Awka.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, commended the security personnel involved in the rescue and directed officers to sustain strategic checkpoints, intelligence-led patrols and coordinated security operations across the state.
The Command assured residents and visitors that it would continue to intensify efforts to prevent criminal elements from using Anambra as a safe haven.
At least nine passengers have been killed after gunmen opened fire on a commercial bus at Dungus Junction in Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack reportedly occurred around 9:40 p.m. when the bus, which was travelling towards Jos, stopped at the junction to drop off some passengers.
Several other passengers were reportedly injured in the attack and rushed to hospitals for treatment.
Lawan Suleiman, a neighbour and teacher of one of the victims, identified the driver as Ibrahim and said three of the victims were from his community in Bukuru.
“The driver is Ibrahim and he was my student. Three of them are from our community here in Bukuru. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital. But relatives are preparing to collect them for burial,” Suleiman said.
The bus was reportedly riddled with bullets, with bloodstains visible inside the vehicle after the attack.
Rwang Tengwong, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders (BYM), also confirmed the incident, saying the victims were passengers travelling to Jos when the attackers opened fire on the vehicle.
Tengwong said one of those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow.
“The incident happened around 9.40 p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terrorists opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development and we lament the loss of lives,” he said.
He added that some passengers sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to hospitals, while some of the injured reportedly later died.
The attack has raised fresh concerns over the safety of commuters travelling along the route at night amid continuing security challenges in parts of Plateau State.
As of the time of filing this report, the Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The Enugu State Police Command has ordered an investigation into two separate incidents of alleged disruption of political gatherings in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.
The incidents reportedly occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Ndiuno-Obuoffia community and St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to thoroughly investigate the incidents and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
According to the statement, armed hoodlums allegedly disrupted a National Democratic Congress (NDC) ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuoffia with sporadic gunshots, leaving two attendees injured.
In a separate incident at St. Joseph Primary School, Agbani, hoodlums allegedly destroyed canopies and chairs arranged for a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally.
The police said operatives were promptly deployed to both locations after receiving reports of the incidents to prevent further breaches of peace and track down the fleeing suspects.
The Command, however, noted that neither of the political gatherings had been formally brought to the attention of the police for security coverage.
CP Giwa reiterated his warning that all political activities in the state must be conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.
He stressed that electoral offences are punishable under the law and warned political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders against violence, intimidation, destruction of property and other acts capable of disrupting public peace or the electoral process.
The Commissioner urged political parties and other stakeholders to notify the police ahead of campaigns, meetings, rallies and other political gatherings to enable the Command to make adequate security arrangements.
He assured residents that the police would continue to maintain a peaceful and secure environment for lawful political activities while dealing decisively with anyone found violating the law.
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