Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects in connection with the gruesome m8rder of two graduates of the Niger Delta University at Gbarantoru community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.
The victims, Ayaokpo Sinclair and were hacked to d3ath on Thursday.
It was gathered that the suspects were arrested by men of the Rapid Response Squad, headed by one Bishop Elemide, who mounted a stop and search operation along Amassoma road on Friday night.
Among the 17 suspects are four suspected cyber fraudsters who allegedly sponsored the k!lling of the two graduates.
A police source revealed to Punch on Sunday that upon receiving a radio alert, the RRS immediately swung into action by mounting the stop and search operation and discovered over 13 boys who were cramped inside a Suzuki minibus with blood stains.
“We saw over 13 boys cramped inside with blood stains on few of them and machetes stained with blood. The police immediately suspected they were the ones that carried out the k!lling,” the source said.
“Upon questioning, the police discovered that they went to the scene of the crime in two minibuses. One developed fault while they were escaping and they decided to abandon it and use one minibus.”
Another police officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “The boys were suspected members of the notorious cult group, and that the killing of the two university graduates was sponsored by some four yahoo boys.”
The spokesperson of the command, Musa Mohammed, confirmed that some arrests were made by the men of the RRS and the level of involvement of each suspect is under investigation.
“Yes, some major arrests have been made, and the command is investigating,” Mohammed said on Sunday.
