Residents of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, are gripped by fear as a surge in cult-related violence and robberies continues to disrupt daily life. Once known as one of the most peaceful cities in the Niger Delta, Yenagoa now contends with near-daily attacks.
Armed cult groups, wielding guns and machetes, operate openly targeting rival factions and unsuspecting victims in neighborhoods like Amarata and Yenezue‑Gene. In recent days, four individuals were killed in Amarata, three were shot in Yenezue‑Gene, and a man in his late twenties was murdered during a dawn home invasion.
Tensions escalated sharply on Saturday when unknown gunmen abducted Bayelsa State High Court Judge E.G. Umokoro at Ekeki’s Kilimanjaro eatery around 7 p.m., as he bought bread with his two young daughters. Eyewitnesses report that the assailants, dressed in police‑style attire and masks, trailed him from his car, forced him out after a brief struggle, and drove off in a white Hilux. The abduction, captured on CCTV, lasted over 50 minutes.
Bayelsa police have confirmed the incident and launched a manhunt, with Commissioner Francis Alonyenu assuring that rescue efforts using crime mapping and video footage are underway to ensure the judge’s safe return.
Adding to the unrest is the disturbing murder of four‑year‑old Muhammadu Bilah in the Aritalin area of Ovom LGA. Godspower Ebisimiagh, a 24‑year‑old alleged member of the Greenlanders cult, has been arrested and confessed to killing the child, reportedly under the influence of the drug “ice.” The police are now investigating whether the act was ritualistic, including allegations of a ₦1 million payment for human sacrifice. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
To this dire mix of crime, former Ijaw Youth Council President Udengs Eradiri added his voice, condemning the wave of violence and urging Governor Douye Diri to take decisive action. Critics point out that over 40 lives have been lost in the past four months, yet decisive leadership remains elusive.
Yenagoa however is battling a surge in violent crimes from brutal cult killings and brazen kidnappings to the shocking murder of a child. Authorities face mounting pressure to secure the judge’s release, arrest perpetrators, and restore safety. The city’s fragile peace now depends on swift police action and government intervention.
