Bayelsa vigilante arrests suspected cultist terrorising business owners and residents

Operatives of the Bayelsa State Vigilante Security Service have apprehended a suspected cultist over his alleged involvement in cases of robbery, cultism and criminal possession of fake firearms.

The 26-year-old suspect, Christopher Izzy popularly called Machala, was arrested on Monday, August 19, 2024, after he was identified by one of his robbery victims along the Biogbolo axis of Yenagoa. 

The native of Edo State has been on the wanted list of the Bayelsa State Vigilante Service.

The Chairman of Bayelsa State Vigilante Service, Hon. Doubiye Alagba, who confirmed the development said the suspect operates with a deadly gang of cultists and they specialize in attacking supermarkets, POS stores, including pedestrians plying Yenagoa city on commercial tricycles popularly known as Keke Napep.

According to Alagba, the operatives of State Vigilante during a body search of the suspect recovered a welded fake gun, phone and liquid substances identified as illicit drugs known as cocaine (ice crystal meth).

He added that the arrest of Machala was a significant breakthrough in the fight against crime in the state.

The Chairman pointed out that the arrest was made possible after he was identified by one of his robbery victims along the Biogbolo axis of the state capital. The victim was dispossessed of his mobile phone and other valuables.

Another victim, Stanley Ogodo, a supermarket owner in the Ebis Biogbolo area, also reported that the suspect and his team allegedly attacked his business on Nine different occasions.

Ogodo further stated that three weeks ago, the same Izzy and his gang came to his supermarket, held up customers at gunpoint and made away with consumables, customers’ items and other valuables.

“He has done it severally, he will threaten me, harass me with a gun, beat me, open my drawer pack all the money, provisions and drinks,” Ogodo lamented.