Unknown gunmen on Wednesday broken into Azikoro village in Yenagoa Council Area of Bayelsa State, and unleashed violence on a pentecostal church, killing four persons.
The gunmen stormed the Lion of Judah Church about 11.10 pm on Wednesday, shooting sporadically and in the process felled a man and his pregnant wife and two others while others were seriously injured.
They also destroyed the church and torched a house and vehicles.
The identities of the deceased were given as Alfred Marcus (30), Imomotimi (25) , Gabriel Ejimofor (45) and his wife, Uchechukwu (38).
It is not clear yet if the pastor of the church escaped unhurt.
The spokesman for the State Police Command, SP Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the incident said the police have begun hunting down the killers.
“The Bayelsa State Police Command have launched a manhunt for the suspected cultists who murdered four victims and set a house ablaze.
“On 5th August 2020, at about 2300 hours, armed suspected cultists stormed the ‘Lion of Judah Church’ Azikoro village, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, shot dead four church members namely; Alfred Marcus 30 years, Imomotimi surname unknown 25 years, Gabriel Ejimofor 45 years and Uchechukwu Ejimofor 38 years and set ablaze a nearby building, damaged a vehicle and the church property.
“Operatives of operation Puff Adder had earlier traced the hideouts of the cultists in the bush, dislodged them, and burnt their camp. “It is believed that this is a reprisal attack by the suspected cultists.
“Meanwhile, two suspects have been arrested and are cooperating with the Police in their investigation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Mike Okoli has visited the scene and reassured members of the community of adequate police protection.
He also ordered full Investigation into the incident with a view to unravelling the motive for the dastardly attack.
