Police arrest eight suspected cultists for attacking NDU student in Bayelsa

The Bayelsa State Police have arrested eight suspected cultists for allegedly attacking a 300-level student from the Niger Delta University, Amassoma. The student is named Prince Hansen.

The suspects were picked up by the Violent Crime Response Unit after police received a distress call. The call reported that a group of young men attacked the student at a hotel on Mike Okokpo Street in Yenagoa.

DSP Musa Mohammed, the Police Public Relations Officer, shared this news in a statement on Saturday. He mentioned that the attack happened around 10 p.m. on July 14, 2026.

Mohammed 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."

He listed the suspects 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. Six of these suspects are students at the Niger Delta University, Amassoma.

During a search, police found items like a substance believed to be Indian hemp, Swinol, and charms on the suspects.

Mohammed said investigations are still ongoing. He added that the suspects will be charged once the investigation wraps up.

He emphasized the police's commitment to fighting cultism and other violent crimes in the state. "The command reiterates its unwavering commitment to combating cultism and other violent crimes across the state. Members of the public are encouraged to continue providing timely and credible information to the police to enhance public safety and security," he said.