A group of suspected cultists and rapists numbering more than 20, have been arrested by a special squad formed by the Bayelsa State Police Command to halt the growing wave of crime in the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Hillary Opara, who disclosed this while briefing journalists in his office said, five persons, including a 64-year-old man were arrested for defilement of children between ages 10 and 13.
Okpara said, 15 other persons, including a 22-year-old notorious cultist, identified as Small Boy Danger, were arrested for the recent cases of cult-related violence and killing of about four persons along the OMPADEC, Opolo, and Ekeki areas of Yenagoa.
The police commissioner further disclosed that though the recent upsurge in cult-related killings was sad and unfortunate, it had spurred the police into a series of patrols and security operations that led to major arrests.
According to him, although the arrest of the paedophiles, and prosecution of rape and child defilement cases were frustrated by lack of will power by parents of victims to pursue the cases to logical conclusion, the police and the Bayelsa State Government had set up a committee backed by law to ensure that cases of rape, violence against women and the girl-child were properly prosecuted.
Opara also said the marine component of the Nigeria Police had engaged some pirates in a shoot-out leading to the arrest of 14 suspects along the Igoli River and the Brass/Snake Island axis of Brass Local Government Area of the state.
He, however, warned people of the state to be vigilant and report strange movement or activies of persons or group of persons in their area.
The police chief also called on market women and motor park operators in the state to employ the services of security personnel and encourage passengers to observe and report strange objects, bags and persons around them.