By Ekpenyong Emmanuel
The once-thriving Amarata community in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, is now gripped by fear and tension as rival cult groups continue to wreak havoc on the area.
The latest incident, which claimed the life of a young man identified as Frank aka ‘Akeman,’ has sparked a wave of violence and retaliation, leaving residents on edge.
Eyewitnesses describe the scene as chaotic, with shops closing early and residents hurrying home in fear of being caught in the crossfire.
The cult wars have also led to a surge in petty crimes, with thieves taking advantage of the situation to snatch phones and valuables from unsuspecting residents.
Despite efforts by the Bayelsa State Police Command to broker a ceasefire between the warring cult groups, the violence continues unabated.
The Commissioner of Police, Francis Izu, has warned that further conflict and killings would lead to the automatic arrest and prosecution of the identified leaders.
However, the cult groups remain defiant, with one group vowing to exact revenge until they apprehend the killer.
The situation has left residents wondering if the authorities are doing enough to address the root causes of the violence and bring peace to the troubled community.
As the violence continues to escalate, one thing is clear: the people of Amarata are tired of living in fear and demand action from the authorities to restore peace and security to their community.
