Tragedy struck the Igbogene axis of Yenagoa on Sunday as a fresh wave of cult violence left at least three people dead. The quiet of the Bayelsa State capital was shattered in the early hours of the morning when rival gangs, identified by locals as the Greenlanders and the Boboos, reportedly engaged in a bloody battle for territorial control.
According to reports reaching Zoyols Blog, this latest eruption of violence is part of a larger, disturbing trend that has gripped the city over the last few weeks. The tension reached a breaking point about a fortnight ago following the gruesome killing of a 30-year-old man known as Ebi in the Yenegue area. Ebi, believed to be a member of the Greenlanders, was beheaded by suspected rivals, an act that has since triggered a series of retaliatory attacks across various communities.
The scene at Igbogene on Sunday morning was one of pure chaos. Residents described waking up to the sound of heavy gunfire echoing through the streets, forcing many to flee their homes in terror. As the situation escalated, local shops were quickly locked up and business activities came to a complete standstill. While the exact identities of the three victims remain unconfirmed, several other youths were seen being rushed away with severe injuries sustained during the heat of the clash.
One resident, who asked not to be named for fear of being targeted, told Zoyols Blog that the community has been living under a shadow of fear. They described the incident as a “heartbreaking continuation” of a cycle of violence that security agencies seem to be struggling to contain. In the last month alone, it is estimated that at least six lives have been lost to these ongoing disputes.
As community leaders move to sue for peace and appeal to the local youths to lay down their weapons, the general public is growing increasingly frustrated. Many are now calling on the Bayelsa State Government and law enforcement to move beyond reactive measures and establish a more permanent security presence in these volatile neighborhoods to prevent further loss of life.
The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the incident. Police spokesperson DSP Musa Muhammad stated that a full investigation has already been launched. He assured the public that officers are currently working to track down and arrest the suspects who fled the scene following the killings.
