ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Bloody cult clash in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, on Tuesday, left two businessmen dead.
The clash between two rival cult groups, Greenlanders and Bobos, happened inside the popular Swali Ultra-modern market at the state capital.
The suspected cultists, who reportedly came out in their large numbers, seized the opportunity to loot and unleash terror on traders and other passersby in the fight that started right inside the market.
The incident was said to have thrown the entire market into chaos as the market security and every other persons ran away for their lives.
It was gathered that several other persons sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to the hospital.
The suspected cultists, who were seen wielding guns, machetes and other dangerous weapons, reportedly carried out their operations without any interference from security agencies.
A trader, who pleaded anonymity, claimed that cash and goods stolen by the criminals ran into millions of naira, as they (cult members) had a field day looting phone shops and other stores in the separate attacks which began in the morning and continued till the evening.
It was also gathered that for many years now, Swali Market and its traders have been at the mercy of notorious cultists who rob, maim and sometimes kill those who refuse to give them money.
But the recent crisis has left perpetual fear in the hearts of traders, with many calling on the state government to beef up security.
Eyewitnesses claimed that one the victims, an Igbo man, was killed when members of Bobos cult group attacked a hideout of their rival Greenlanders group within the market.
They also claimed that the other victim, an Hausa trader, was killed when the Greenlanders went on a reprisal in the market.
Another trader, who pleaded anonymity, said “the Bobos attacked a hideout of Greenlanders in the market. After their clash, they attempted to rob the Igbo man who was hawking beverages.
“When they tried to collect all the money he had made that day, he resisted their attempt and they attacked him with machetes, killing him on the spot.
“After everywhere calmed down, the Greenlanders came back in the evening to attack some members of Bobos hanging around the market when they accidentally killed the Hausa man selling onions.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Command, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the the incident.
He said: “It was a rival cult clash and two persons died. However, one Emmanuel Akpaye and Chinedu Offor were injured and are responding to treatment at FMC. Investigation is ongoing.”