A fresh wave of cult-related violence has claimed the life of Abinna Briggs, a student of the Niger Delta University (NDU), who recently completed his final year examinations and was awaiting his project defense.
The tragic incident occurred on the night of May 12, 2025, in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.
According to reports circulating on social media, Briggs was allegedly shot by suspected cultists.
He was rushed to a nearby medical facility for emergency care, but the hospital reportedly refused to admit or treat him due to procedural issues related to gunshot wounds.
Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.
Briggs was said to hail from Rivers State.
However, details about his academic department or faculty were not immediately available at the time of this report.
Efforts to confirm the incident from the state Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, proved abortive.
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The latest incident adds to the spate of cult-related violence that has rocked Bayelsa State in recent months.
In January 2025, multiple fatalities were recorded in Yenagoa, including clashes in Igbogene and Amarata, where at least four individuals were killed in cult wars involving rival groups, the Greenlanders and Bobos.
More recently, in February 2025, a stray bullet from another cult clash claimed the life of Mrs. Christiana Rose, a trader at the Swali Ultra-Modern Market.
In yet another episode, 30-year-old Darlington Watson was stoned to death in Agudama-Epie, further raising concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Bayelsa State.
Addressing the surge in cult-related killings during a recent press briefing, the state Commissioner of Police, Alonyenu Idu, shed light on the internal dynamics fueling the violence.
He alleged that a cult member identified simply as Wanemi was killed by his fellow gang members due to a leadership tussle within the group.
According to the police commissioner, “it was not an external attack; he was murdered by his fellow cultists who disagreed with his hold on power.”