Tragedy struck the Swali community in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as four lives were cut short in a horrifying attack by suspected cultists on Easter Sunday. Residents celebrating the resurrection of Christ were thrown into chaos when masked gunmen stormed the area around midnight.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers, who arrived in a Toyota Hilux van, wielded assault rifles including AK-47s. They began shooting indiscriminately, leaving a trail of blood and panic in their wake. One resident described the incident as the worst violence he had seen in over a decade of living in the area.
“It was like a warzone… no one expected such evil on a night meant for celebration,” the witness told NIGPOST.
Interestingly, the gunmen did not take any valuables, suggesting the attack wasn’t a robbery but a targeted hit. This has led to speculations about an ongoing supremacy battle between two rival cult groups – the Greenlanders and the Bobos – who are known to be active in the area.
The Swali community, which houses the largest market in Bayelsa, is ironically surrounded by several security posts, raising concerns about how such an attack could happen so close to law enforcement agencies.
Bayelsa State lawmaker, Ayibanegiyefa Egba, who represents Yenagoa Constituency 1, visited the scene and condemned the attack as “barbaric.” She offered heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and urged the youth to steer clear of cultism and violence.
“This is a dark day for Swali. I appeal to the community to remain united and vigilant. Our youths must resist external influences that bring destruction,” Egba said.
The Paramount Ruler of Swali, HRH Wilcox Seiyefa Job, has also called on the state government to establish police posts at strategic locations to prevent future tragedies. He emphasized the community’s long-standing request for a proper police station to safeguard lives.
Bayelsa State Police spokesperson, Musa Mohammed, confirmed the incident and assured the public that normalcy has been restored. He added that the motive behind the attack is still under investigation, though the police are taking preventive steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
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