From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Police Command is probing a shooting incident in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, which claimed the life of one Daniel Ayama while three others sustained bullet wounds.
The deceased and the three other victims were said to be returning from a birthday party when unknown gunmen ambushed them at INEC Junction, Kpansia and opened fire on their vehicle.
Ayama was said to have died on the spot, while the other three occupants of the car drove to somewhere around Swali before abandoning the vehicle to seek medical help at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yenagoa.
Checks indicated that the police recovered the vehicle and traced the occupants to FMC, and during interrogation, one of the survivors narrated what transpired.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Muhammed, said the shooting incident was linked to the ongoing cult rivalry in the state.
Mohammed, in a statement entitled: ‘Investigation into Cult-Related Shooting Incident at INEC Junction in Yenagoa,” called on members of the public with useful information to give such to the police.
The statement read in part: ‘’The Bayelsa State Police Command wishes to inform the public of an ongoing investigation into a suspected case of intra-cult rivalry which occurred at about 1am on 16th May, 2025.
“At about 10:30 hours, operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit recovered a black Toyota Lexus SUV riddled with bullet holes, abandoned at the Swali area of Yenagoa. Preliminary investigations led to the tracing of a gunshot victim to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa.
“One of the victims, identified as Peremoboi Anthony ‘m’, 27 years, is currently receiving medical treatment for gunshot wounds at FCM, Yenagoa. He voluntarily provided crucial information indicating that himself, Betty Captain Vivian ‘f’, Emmanuel Ebanipere ‘m’ 28 years, and Daniel Ayama ‘m’ 27 years, now deceased, were returning from a birthday party when they were ambushed by unknown assailants in an unmarked Hilux vehicle at INEC Junction, Yenagoa.
“The body of the deceased, Daniel Ayama m’ 27 years old, has been deposited at the morgue of the FMC Yenagoa. Other victims are responding to treatment.
“Notably, the incident was not formally reported by the victims or their relatives until officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit traced the injured individual to the hospital at 10:30 hours on the same day. The Command is actively working with public-spirited individuals who have already provided valuable information to assist in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators of this violent act.”