Days after robbers kill Bayelsa student, police engage community to fight crime

– Police said it has extended a hand of partnership to a Bayelsa community in its bid to flush out crime

– This development came following the killing of a 100 level student of Niger Delta University

– The victim was reported to have been killed by armed robbers threatening the community peace

The police command in Bayelsa said it has commenced engagements with community, youth leaders as well as vigilance groups to flush out criminals including cultists from the state, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Asinim Butswat, spokesman of the command, said this on Sunday, November 11, while reacting to the killing of a 100 level female student of the Niger Delta University, Seiyefa Fred, by suspected cultists.

TRACK NEWS gathers that Seiyefa was killed by suspected cultists in a robbery mission last week Thursday, November 8, in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Residents, who witnessed the incident, said that the deceased had resisted attempts by the gang which tried to dispose her of her mobile phone.

Butswat identified cultism and armed robbery as the most prevalent crimes in the state and assured the people of the command’s readiness to partner with communities in fighting crimes.

The spokesman said that there were several reported cases of cultism and armed robbery in Yenagoa metropolis with the attendant consequences on public safety.

He said the frequency of the incidents had compelled the police commissioner in the state, Joseph Mukan, to embark on community engagement meeting with stakeholders to contain the menace.

Meanwhile, the state commissioner for information, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, has said that the government would ensure the prosecution of anyone involved in the killing, describing it as ”shocking, reprehensible and unacceptable.”

Iworiso-Markson gave the assurance that government would do everything to ensure that those who perpetrated the dastardly act were fished out and brought to justice.

The commissioner noted that the government was elected primarily to ensure peace, security development and stability in the state.

He said: “The government of Bayelsa received with shock the gruesome murder of a 100 level student of the Niger Delta University by people suspected to be cultists on a robbery mission.

“Government condemns with all vehemence this collective assault on our humanity as a people and would do all within its power to address this provocative act.

“Government calls for the cooperation of all our citizens in the days ahead as deliberate efforts would be made to go after those who have declared war on our peace and security.

“Government commiserates with the family of the late Seiyefa and assures that the killers would not go unpunished.”

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that in what was said to be separate incidents of cult clash, two students of Benue State University lost their lives.

According to an eyewitness, the first incident happened on Tuesday, November 6, when a 300L student of the institution was gunned down around High Level area in Makurdi.

The second killing took place opposite the second gate of the university where the victim, a 400 level student of Theatre Art of the university, was shot dead.