Suspected cultist, pipeline vandal arrested in Bayelsa

Determined to outlaw cultists and other related criminal operations the Bayelsa State Police Command, arrested suspected cult members involved in several heinous crimes in the state.

Making the disclosure in Yenagoa, spokesman of the state police command, DSP, Asinim Butswat, said the command received several distress calls and reports from members of the public about the incursion of a cultist and it quickly deployed crack team on cultism to fish out and bring to the perpetrator to face the law.

Butswat averred that in line with the command’s mandate to ensure zero tolerance for crime and criminality it swung into action and the suspected cultist was arrested.

However, it was learnt that the suspect, Temona Boleigha Alison was not only involved in cult-related offences but that he was also into the nefarious act of vandalism of oil and gas pipeline owned by oil multinationals operating in the state.

The police statement reads ‘’Bayelsa Police On 4th February, 2018 at about 0100hrs, its Strike Force, a team that specialises in tracking down wanted criminals, and cultists arrested one Temona Boleigha Alison based on a tip-off.

According to the statement, ‘’the suspect was arrested in possession of; four hand grenades, one live cartridge, a pair of military uniform, one machete, one SIM card, and twelve wraps of substance suspected to be cocaine.

The State Police Public Relation Officer said the command would not spare any criminals, just as he advised that Bayelsa was not a safe haven for criminals and that those engaging in criminal activities should either move out because the state would be too hot for them.

But what noted that the suspect was under police custody, undergoing a thorough interrogation to enable police track down his gangs.