Police arrest pastor over alleged plot to kill rival in Bayelsa
By SUMAYYAH ADEFAKA
Operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit of the Bayelsa State Police Command have arrested one Pastor Elijah Oro over a plot to kill a rival pastor in the state.
According to the police, Pastor Oro allegedly hired one Samuel Daniel, a 21-year-old member of a notorious cult group, to execute his rival over a reported issue of membership drive and property.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, said, “On 28th January, 2026, at about 1035 hours, operatives attached to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, acting on credible intelligence, swung into action and arrested two suspects, namely Samuel Daniel ‘m’, 21 years old, from Nembe Ogbolomabiri Community, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and Pastor Elijah Oro ‘m’, 59 years old, from Ozoro Community, Delta State, both involved in an alleged plot to kill the prophet named [withheld].”
“Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspects, Samuel Daniel ‘m’, 21 years, was arrested in the premises of the prophet and had confessed to being a member of the Greenlanders Confraternity. He was allegedly hired by Pastor Elijah Oro ‘m’ to assassinate the prophet (name withheld). Investigation is ongoing to unravel the motive behind the alleged plot.
“The Bayelsa State Police Command assures members of the public of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property and urges citizens to continue to support the police with timely and credible information.”
In other news, Zamfara State Police Command has rescued one Abdullahi Isah Nagari, a man abducted by armed bandits on January 29, 2026, in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.
According to the police command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, the victim was found tied to a tree with a machete cut injury on his hand.
The command’s spokesman said that the rescue operation was carried out by the police and military personnel, who were able to locate and rescue the victim after receiving a report of the abduction.
Abubakar explained that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators, and security patrols have been increased in the area to prevent further occurrences.
He said that the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba, has assured the public of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
The command urged residents to continue providing timely and useful information to security agencies for prompt action.
“This recent rescue is part of a larger effort by security forces to combat banditry in Zamfara State”, he added.
