Suspected cultist removed from tricycle, stoned to death

A 30‐year‐old man, Darlington Watson, was reportedly stoned to death on Wednesday evening at the Agudama-Epie community in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as tensions between the rival cult factions—the Greenlanders and the Bobous intensified.

IDOMA VOICE reports that  Watson, a member of the Greenlanders, was dragged from a moving tricycle before being attacked by members of the opposing cult. This incident is part of a broader violent clash between the two groups, who are also battling over control of the new transport terminal at the Igbogene community on the outskirts of Yenagoa.

An eyewitness, who chose to remain anonymous for security reasons, described how Watson was riding in a tricycle (locally known as a keke) when individuals suspected to be affiliated with the rival cult intercepted the vehicle. They forcibly pulled him out and brutally assaulted him with sticks and stones until he succumbed to his injuries.

The eyewitness stated that the attack occurred around 5:15 pm, opposite a Pentecostal church in Agudama-Epie. By the time a police patrol arrived, Watson’s family had already taken the body for burial, and the attackers had fled.

Bayelsa State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Musa Mohammed, confirmed the incident on Thursday. He explained that at about 7:00 pm on Wednesday, the Divisional Police Officer led a patrol team to the area, where clashes between the Bobous and Greenlanders were ongoing.

During the confrontation, Watson not only suffered a stoning but also sustained machete cuts. Mr. Mohammed emphasized that investigations had been stepped up to apprehend those responsible and cautioned young people against involvement in cults and other criminal groups.