A 30-year-old man, Darlington Watson, was killed in an attack by rival cult members in the Agudama-Epie community of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The incident occurred on Wednesday, 26th February 2025, amidst escalating tensions between opposing cult groups in the area.
Reports indicate that Darlington Watson, a member of the Greenlander cult group, was forcibly removed from a moving tricycle and subsequently attacked with stones and sticks by members of the rival Bobous cult group.
“The boy was in a tricycle (keke) when suspected members of a rival cult group stopped the vehicle, dragged him out, and brutally assaulted him with sticks and stones until he succumbed to his injuries and gave up the ghost,” an eyewitness told Punch.
According to the eyewitness, the incident reportedly took place at approximately 5:15 pm on Wednesday, near a Pentecostal church in Agudama-Epie.
Eyewitnesses stated that the deceased’s family had removed the body for burial before the arrival of law enforcement.
Musa Mohammed, spokesperson for the Bayelsa State Police Command, confirmed the incident on Thursday. He stated that an investigation has been launched to identify and apprehend those responsible for the killing.
“Information at my disposal has it that yesterday (Wednesday) at about 1900 hours, based on information received, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) led the patrol team to the area,” said the PPRO.
“Bobous and Greenlander cult groups were clashing at Agudama-Epie; in the process, one Darlington Walson, 30-year-old from the community and a member of Greenlander group, as well, was inflicted with machete cuts and stoned to death by the rival group. On arrival at the scene, the family of the deceased had evacuated the corpse for burial; investigation has been intensified to apprehend the suspects involved in the killing.”
