A violent clash between rival cult groups in the Agudama-Epie community of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, led to the brutal killing of 30-year-old Darlington Watson on Wednesday evening. The conflict between the Greenlanders and Bobous cult groups has been escalating, resulting in multiple casualties.
According to reports, Watson, a member of the Greenlanders, was forcibly removed from a moving tricycle by members of the rival group and subsequently stoned to death.
The ongoing power struggle between these factions centers around control of a newly established transport terminal in the Igbogene community, located on the outskirts of Yenagoa.
A witness, who chose to remain anonymous for safety reasons, described the incident: “He was inside a tricycle when members of a rival cult stopped the vehicle, dragged him out, and attacked him with sticks and stones until he died.”
The attack occurred around 5:15 p.m. near a Pentecostal church in Agudama-Epie. By the time law enforcement arrived, the victim’s family had already retrieved his body for burial, and the assailants had fled.
Bayelsa State Police Command spokesperson, Musa Mohammed, confirmed the incident on Thursday, stating that an investigation is underway to identify and arrest those involved.
“At approximately 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, a police patrol team led by the Divisional Police Officer responded to reports of a clash between the Bobous and Greenlanders in Agudama-Epie. During the altercation, 30-year-old Darlington Watson, a Greenlanders member, was fatally wounded with machetes and stones by the opposing group.
“When officers arrived at the scene, the victim’s family had already removed the body for burial. Efforts are being made to track down the suspects,” Mohammed said.
He also urged young people to avoid cult activities and criminal organizations, emphasizing the dangers associated with such involvement.
