Police reach ceasefire agreement with Cult leaders to end killings among rival groups

The Nigeria Police Force has put in place a strategic conflict resolution plan to enforce a ceasefire among rival cult organizations in response to the growing number of cult-related deaths in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.

Any additional violence will result in the instant arrest and prosecution of the cult leaders responsible, the State Command has warned.

Violent clashes between these factions have claimed the lives of seven people in the last week, including three siblings who tragically perished in the violence.

These clashes have primarily occurred in the Igbogene, Amarata, Swali, and Ekeki areas of Yenagoa.

At the heart of the conflict is a fierce power struggle over control of the revenue from the newly established State Transport Terminal at Igbogene.

The terminal, located in a strategic area, is currently under the control of the Greenlanders Cult group, but other rival factions—including the Icelanders, Vikings, Bobos, and Dee-Bams—are vying for a share of the potential profits.

As tensions reached a boiling point, the State Commissioner of Police expressed frustration over the rising fatalities and instructed the Operation Puff Adder tactical team, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, to engage with cult leaders in an effort to broker peace.

Initially hesitant due to fear of the police operation, several leaders of the groups eventually reached out to the Commissioner to seek direct dialogue.

A high-level meeting took place this week, from Monday to Tuesday, with representatives from approximately ten different cult groups.

During the talks, the leaders reached a collective agreement: all violent activities, including killings, must cease immediately. They further pledged to communicate this resolution to their foot soldiers and agreed that any future violence would hold the group leaders accountable.

A security source confirmed that the cult leaders signed an official document committing to the ceasefire, signaling an end to the ongoing bloodshed. However, authorities have assured the public that investigations into the killings are ongoing and that those found responsible will face the full weight of the law.

Notorious armed Bandit kill 20 Boko Haram members in North-West supremacy clash

Dogo Gide, a notorious bandit leader, has claimed responsibility for the deaths of 20 Boko Haram fighters from the Sadiku faction during a violent clash in the North-West.

The bandits engaged in a supremacy battle, and Gide’s forces emerged victorious after an ambush attempt by the Sadiku faction.

In a video that surfaced following the attack, Gide is seen addressing his rivals, showing off the spoils of war, including ten AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), mobile phones, and an identity card allegedly linked to the Sadiku group.

Gide boasts about his success, stating, “Sadiku and his group ambushed us, but we prevailed. Only one of our men was injured, while at least 20 of theirs were killed.”

Gide also accused the Sadiku faction of hypocrisy, condemning them for killing women, children, and innocent people under the pretext of jihad.

Security expert Zagazola Makama, who analysed the situation, noted that the incident highlights the shifting dynamics of extremism in the region, where alliances and rivalries among criminal and terror groups continue to complicate efforts to restore order.

The rivalry between Gide and Boko Haram, particularly the Sadiku faction, has deep personal and strategic roots. Makama explained that Gide, once an ally of Boko Haram, turned against the group after his brother, Sani, was killed in 2023.

Since then, Gide has vowed to avenge his brother’s death and expel Boko Haram from his territory.

Gide’s recent activities have focused on Niger State, particularly in the Shiroro Local Government Area, where he dismantled Boko Haram roadblocks along the Kuruba-Uduwa highway. In a message to local communities, he pleaded for forgiveness and encouraged displaced villagers to return, promising to restore normalcy.

Gide’s actions appear driven by both personal vendettas and a desire to strengthen his control over criminal enterprises, including cattle rustling and kidnapping, in the region.

Yahaya Bello in search of new allies vists Wike, in Company of Governor Ododo

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has hosted the Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, alongside his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, at his Abuja residence.

The visit was made known via a post on the X handle of the minister’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, on Thursday, January 23.

The post reads: “Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and his successor, Usman Ododo, visited the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in his Abuja residence today.”

The former governor is presently facing several multi-billion Naira fraud charges.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed numerous cases involving fraud and money laundering against Bello, with proceedings underway in both the Federal High Court in Abuja and an FCT High Court.