Tragedy struck in the Gbarantoru community of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, as two graduates of Niger Delta University, Amassoma, were brutally murdered by suspected cultists late Thursday night.
One of the victims was identified as Ayaokpo Sinclair from the Tombia community, while the identity of the second victim had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.
Both were reportedly awaiting deployment for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) when the attack occurred around 11 p.m.
According to the Bayelsa State Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Mr. Tolummbofa Jonathan, the victims had stepped out to make a purchase when a group of young men arrived in a vehicle, shouting “See them!” before launching a violent attack.
The assailants, believed to be cult members, reportedly chanted the slogan “aye, aye” before using machetes on the victims.
“One of the victims attempted to escape by jumping into a nearby creek after sustaining injuries.
Though he swam out and was briefly rescued by the driver of the attackers’ vehicle—who claimed to be a relative—he was eventually overpowered by the cultists and fatally wounded,” Jonathan said.
He added that efforts to revive the second victim at a local health centre were unsuccessful, and both bodies were later deposited at the morgue.
The Bayelsa State Police Command confirmed the incident.
Spokesman Mr. Musa Mohammed stated that some arrests had been made, including the vehicle’s driver, and that the State Criminal Investigation Department had launched a full investigation to apprehend the remaining suspects.