The Bayelsa State Police Command has nabbed eight suspected cultists for allegedly assaulting a 300-level student of the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, over an alleged N70,000 debt.
The suspects, comprising seven males and one female, were arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following a distress call received from a resident at about 11 p.m. on July 14.
This was contained in a statement made available by the command’s spokesperson, Musa Mohammed, on Saturday.
According to Mohammed, the suspects, aged between 19 and 23, allegedly attacked the student at a hotel in the Mike Okpokpor area of the state after accusing him of owing them N70,000.
“They caused him grievous bodily harm over an allegation that he was owing them N70,000,” he said.
Mohammed said six of the suspects are students of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma.
He added that substances suspected to be Indian hemp, Swinol, and charms were recovered from the suspects during the operation.
The police spokesperson said investigations are ongoing, adding that the suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling cultism and other violent crimes across the state and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the police to improve public safety and security.