Police arrest eight suspected cultists over assault on Bayelsa university student

Eight suspected cultists have been arrested by the Bayelsa State Police Command in connection with the alleged assault of Prince Hansen, a 300-level student at Niger Delta University, Amassoma. The arrests followed a distress call reporting that a group of young men attacked the student at a hotel on Mike Okokpo Street in Yenagoa.

According to DSP Musa Mohammed, the Police Public Relations Officer, the incident occurred around 10 p.m. on July 14, 2026. He stated that the suspects allegedly ganged up and beat Hansen within the hotel premises, causing him grievous bodily harm. The motive for the attack was reportedly an allegation that the victim owed N70,000.

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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 arrested suspects have been 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). Police reports indicate that six of the suspects are students at the Niger Delta University.

During a search of the suspects, police recovered exhibits including a substance suspected to be Indian hemp, Swinol, and charms. Mohammed confirmed that investigations are ongoing and the suspects will be prosecuted upon completion. He reiterated the command's commitment to combating cultism and other violent crimes in the state, urging the public to continue providing information to enhance safety and security.

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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.