The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed that Olotu Omubo, leader of the Bobos cult group, was murdered by his fellow cult members in a bid to seize control of the group’s leadership.
Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, disclosed this on Monday during a media briefing in Yenagoa.
He said that contrary to earlier reports suggesting rival cult involvement, police investigations revealed that Omubo’s death was the result of an internal power struggle.
Omubo, a native of Nembe in Nembe Local Government Area and a Phase 2 beneficiary ofpp+ the Presidential Amnesty Programme, was killed on April 24 along Goodnews Street in the Azikoro area of Yenagoa. Initial suspicion fell on rival cults or hired assassins allegedly retaliating for past killings linked to him.
However, Commissioner Idu explained that intelligence gathered by the police pointed to an orchestrated plan by members of the Bobos cult to eliminate Omubo and frame the killing as inter-cult violence.
“About 95 percent of the intelligence we received indicates that the murder was an internal affair disguised as a rival attack to create confusion and benefit from a change in leadership,” Idu said.
The Commissioner also noted that although Omubo had previously been arrested for illegal possession of firearms, he was released due to external influence.
He warned that interference in the justice system can lead to dire consequences.
Idu announced that nine other suspects had been arrested in connection with various criminal activities including cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms.
Among those arrested:
Mohammed Adamu (50) and Adiamakubo Orubo (37) were detained over the disappearance of a 26-year-old man, Ashiru Ishiaku from Kano State, along with his tricycle on April 29.
David Ngo (36), a member of the Islanders cult group from Brass LGA, was arrested for allegedly stabbing Goodwill Ovuru to death on April 16 in Agudama-Ekpetiama, Yenagoa LGA.
Monday Daniel (28) was apprehended in Onopa for an armed robbery involving a N180,000 Redmi phone.
Endurance Odambe Chinedu (24) from Delta State was caught in Agbia community on May 4 with 10 live cartridges.
He confessed to being a member of the Black Axe confraternity, and a search of his residence revealed a battle axe, a black beret with cult insignia, and other items.
The Police Commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ending cult-related violence and ensuring the safety of residents across the state.