Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested eight suspected cultists in connection with the alleged assault of a 300-level student of Niger Delta University, Amassoma, identified as Prince Hansen.
According to the police, the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit after a distress call alerted authorities to an attack at a hotel on Mike Okokpo Street in Yenagoa.
Police spokesperson, DSP Musa Mohammed, said the incident occurred around 10 p.m. on July 14, 2026.
He stated, “Following a distress call by a public-spirited individual along Mike Okokpo Street, Yenagoa, that a group of eight young men suspected to be cultists lodged in a hotel ganged up and beat one Prince Hansen, a 300-level student of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, within the hotel premises, causing him grievous bodily harm over an allegation that the victim was owing N70,000, operatives attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit swung into action.
“The suspects were identified as Desmond Linus, 20; Richman Serbokuro, 21; Plain Lion, 19; Richman Joel, 20; Solomon Damian, 23; Destiny Serbokuro, 24; Isaac Goodnews, 22; and Theresa Francis, 22.”
Mohammed said six of those arrested are students of Niger Delta University.
He added, “Upon a search, exhibits including a substance suspected to be Indian hemp, Swinol and charms were recovered from the suspects.”
The police spokesperson said investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged to court when the probe is concluded.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling cult-related activities and other violent crimes across the state, while urging residents to continue providing useful information to security agencies.
