Bayelsa State Police Commissioner, Francis Izu, has confirmed that the slain leader of the infamous cult group known as the Bobos, Olotu Wanemi Omubo, was killed by his own gang members in a power tussle for control of the group.
The brutal killing, which took place last Thursday along Good News Street in Azikoro town, Yenagoa, has sent shockwaves across the state. Omubo, a native of Nembe in Nembe Local Government Area and a known beneficiary of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, was also a prominent leader of the Phase 2 Amnesty beneficiaries. His death initially sparked rumors of a renewed war between rival cult groups, the Bobos and the Vikings, but police investigations have unraveled a more sinister twist.
Commissioner Izu, addressing journalists on Monday, dismissed the inter-cult clash theory, revealing that internal betrayal and a violent leadership struggle within the Bobos was the actual cause. He said, “Ninety-five percent of intelligence available to us confirms that this was an internal conflict. His killers staged it to look like a battle with rival groups, but it was clearly about seizing power within the Bobos.”
According to the police boss, Omubo had a long history of criminal activities and was under police radar for offenses including illegal arms possession. “His last encounter with the police involved unlawful firearm possession, but due to external interference, he was released. This is a reminder that shielding criminals always backfires. Omubo’s death is the result of a system that let crime fester,” Izu stated.
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Police Command has ramped up its fight against criminality, arresting over nine suspects involved in cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and murder.
Among those arrested is 50-year-old Mohammed Adamu from Gombe State, who, along with 37-year-old Adiamakubo Orubo, is being held over the disappearance of Ashiru Ishiaku, a 26-year-old Kano native, along with his tricycle, on April 29.
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In another operation, police apprehended 36-year-old David Ngo, a known member of the feared Island cult group, for allegedly stabbing one Goodwill Ovuru to death in Agudama Ekpetiama on April 16.
Also in custody is Monday Daniel, 28, who was arrested at Onopa in Yenagoa for his role in an armed robbery where he and three others robbed Amarachi Emeachi of her Redmi smartphone valued at N180,000 at her home near Revenue House.
On May 4, officers arrested Endurance Odambe Chinedu, 24, from Ndokwa-East in Delta State, at Agbia with ten live cartridges. He later confessed to being a member of the Black Axe cult, also known as the Aye confraternity. A search of his home uncovered a battle axe, a black beret with cult insignia, and a crusher.
The police have vowed to continue clamping down on cult-related violence and are calling on the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities. Commissioner Izu reiterated that the era of impunity is over and warned that the police would pursue justice no matter who is involved.
