Suspected cultists yesterday killed a teenager in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, in a bid to snatch her mobile phone.
The 16-year-old girl, Siefa Fred, a 100 level student of the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU) was shot dead while running an errand for her mother in the state capital.
Fred, who was at home following the strike action declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), was said to have gone out at about 8pm to buy roasted meat popularly known as suya for her mother.
She was said to be close to her residence when the hoodlums opened fire on her in a bid to snatch her phone.
Her mother was said to have rushed to the scene following the gunshots only to see her daughter in a pool of her blood.
The helpless mother raised the alarm that attracted sympathizers, who rushed the girl to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
Investigations showed that the incident was one too many as innocent residents in Yenagoa are constantly attacked and killed by cultists, in a bid to rob them of their mobile phones.
“The incident happened at about 8pm beside Zenith Bank in Amarata area. The suspected street cultists, who were on the prowl, shot her and ran away with her phone leaving her dead on the ground.
“Resident of the area came out and rushed her to the hospital, but she later died. Her is currently at the mortuary,’’ said a source.
The killing of the girl sparked outrage as residents condemned security agencies, especially the police for failing to contain cultists in the state.
One of the residents identified simply as Moses said: “It is as if Bayelsa is a lawless state. These boys are everywhere with arms killing and maiming people just to snatch their valuables especially phones. They operate at night and in daytime without hinderances. We are not safe. Imagine the cruel way the life of young and vibrant Seifa Fred was snuffed out by them(cultists).
“The government must rise to the occasion. They should partner with security agencies to stop this killing. The government should not allow cultists to form their own government”, he added.
Recall that suspected cultists had been terrorising Obele, Abor Road, Saint Peters area, Amarata, Kpansia, Opolo and Tombia areas, described as red spots in Yenagoa.
Friends of the deceased she was chatting with them on the social media, a few minutes before her death.
One of her friends, Gideon Owili said: “Bayelsa state is really not safe. Seifa Fred was online a few minutes ago. She was shot dead because of her smart phone. She gave them the phone, but they still shot her. I am in tears and deep sorrow.’’
The leader of the Egbesu Brotherhood, Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei, described the killing as unfortunate and called on the youth to stop the violence.
“Cultism and abuse of drugs is on the increase, there is no day that passes in Yenagoa, that gunshots are not heard. People are being killed like chickens, yet no reports of arrests made.
“We should join hands together to restore peace in our state, cultism affects us all, if you are not a cultist then you are a victim, don’t wait for this government, security is everybody’s business”.
The state government condemned the killing of Seifa Fred and called for collective efforts to stop agents of death.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson appealed to the security agencies to be alive to their duties.
He said: “We need to get the security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities. This is no time to apportion blames. We all need to take responsibility for our collective security.
“We must all collectively condemn this and rise up to confront these criminal gangs terrorizing our neighborhoods. The perpetrators are not spirit. They live among us. Let us not be silent. Let’s not be afraid or shy away from reporting them because it could be anybody next”.
The police in a statement signed by its spokesman in the state, Mr Asinim Butswat, confirmed the killing and promised to arrest the culprits.
Butswat said: “On 8 November, 2018, at about 2030 hours, unknown suspected cultists at Amarata, Yenagoa, shot one Seiyefa Fred ‘f’ 16 years, while trying to dispossess her of her mobile phone. The victim was immediately rushed to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
“The Police have swung into action and are working on a promising lead on the identity of the suspects and efforts have been intensified to arrest them.
“The command has embarked on community engagement meetings with relevant youth bodies in a bid to stem the tide of cult related activities. Members of the public should continue to assist the Police with useful information to combat crime in Bayelsa State”.
