A 30-year-old man, Darlington Watson, was brutally stoned to death by suspected rival cult members in the Agudama-Epie community of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The attack, which took place on Wednesday evening, is linked to the ongoing violent clashes between the Greenlanders and Bobous cult groups.
Sources revealed that Watson, a member of the Greenlanders, was traveling in a tricycle when members of the opposing group intercepted the vehicle. The assailants dragged him out and viciously attacked him with stones and sticks until he died from his injuries.
An eyewitness, who spoke anonymously due to safety concerns, described the brutal scene. “The boy was in a tricycle when suspected members of a rival cult group stopped the vehicle, dragged him out, and brutally assaulted him with sticks and stones until he succumbed to his injuries and gave up the ghost. The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, opposite one of the Pentecostal churches at Agudama-Epie in Yenagoa.”
Reports indicate that the ongoing feud between the Greenlanders and Bobous cult groups is over control of the new transport terminal in the Igbogene area on the outskirts of Yenagoa. Several lives have been lost in the deadly struggle for dominance.
Following the attack, Watson’s family reportedly removed his body for burial before security forces arrived at the scene.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer for Bayelsa State, Mr. Musa Mohammed, stated that an investigation is underway to track down those responsible for the killing. He also warned young people against joining cult groups and engaging in criminal activities.
“Information at my disposal has it that yesterday (Wednesday) at about 1900 hours, the Divisional Police Officer led the patrol team to the area. Bobous and Greenlander cult groups were clashing at Agudama-Epie. In the process, one Darlington Watson, a 30-year-old from the community and a member of the Greenlander group, was inflicted with machete cuts and stoned to death by the rival group. On arrival at the scene, the family of the deceased had evacuated the corpse for burial. Investigation has been intensified to apprehend the suspects involved in the killing,” Mohammed said.
