The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested 23 suspected cultists and recovered firearms, ammunition and suspected illicit substances during intelligence-led operations across Yenagoa and its environs.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, disclosed this on Saturday at the command headquarters in Yenagoa, stating that the operations were carried out between 23rd September and 8th October, 2026, in communities including Igbogene, Ovom, Akenfa, Swali, Onopa, Agudama and Amarata.

He said the arrests followed violent clashes and reprisals among rival cult groups, which reportedly resulted in four deaths. Recovered items included locally fabricated pistols, a pump-action gun, ammunition, cutlasses, battle axes, suspected cannabis, substances suspected to be codeine and nitrous oxide.

The commissioner added that some suspects would be arraigned in court, while efforts continued to apprehend fleeing suspects.

CP Adewale commended police personnel and community stakeholders for their cooperation, urging residents to provide credible information to security agencies.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and sustained operations to curb cultism and restore peace across Bayelsa State.