The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a notorious armed robber and cult member, identified as James Oweifa, alias Grade, who had been terrorising residents of Yenagoa, the state capital, for long.

It was gathered that the suspect was arrested on Thursday by operatives of a police surveillance unit, who were acting on a tip-off.

Oweifa, 22, who hails from Agbere community, in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state, was said to have specialised in attacking and dispossessing unsuspecting visitors to Yenagoa of their possessions, before he was apprehended.

According to a statement by the command’s spokesman, Asimin Butswat, the suspect alleged to be a member of the dreaded Icelanders cult, was in possession of a locally made pistol with five rounds of .9mm live ammunition at the time he was arrested.

Butswat said investigation into Oweifa’s involvement in several armed robbery and cult-related cases in the city were ongoing, while efforts had been intensified to arrest his cohorts.

He added, “The stop-and-search operations embarked on by operatives of Bayelsa State Police Command in Yenagoa metropolis is yielding positive results.

“On December 14, 2018, at about 11.20 am, policemen on stop-and-search operations, arrested one Ayibamiebi David, alias Desperado, in a tricycle along Ekeki Road, Yenagoa.

“The suspect, a notorious Icelanders cultist, a native of Opuama community, Southern Ijaw LGA, was arrested in possession of a gun.” – Punch

– Dec. 15, 2018 @ 12:45 GMT |