The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the killing of 16-year-old student, Seifa Fred. Fred, a 100-level student of the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU) was gunned down by suspected cultists at close range while running an errand for her mother in Yenagoa last night.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the killing, promised to arrest the suspects.
“On 8 November, 2018, at about 2030hours, unknown suspected cultists at Amarata, Yenagoa, shot one Seiyefa Fred ‘f’ 16years, while trying to dispossess her of her mobile phone. The victim was immediately rushed to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
“The Police have swung into action and are working on a promising lead on the identity of the suspects and efforts have been intensified to arrest them.
“The command has embarked on community engagement meetings with relevant youth bodies in a bid to stem the tide of cult related activities. Members of the public should continue to assist the Police with useful information to combat crime in Bayelsa State”.
Fred, who was at home following the strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), was said to have gone out at about 8pm to buy suya for her mother.
On her way back, cultists who have made life in Yenagoa a living hell, were said to have attacked her close to her house and shot her in a bid to snatch her phone.
Her mother was said to have rushed to the scene following the gunshot only to behold her daughter in the pool of her blood.
The helpless mother raised the alarm to attract sympathizers, who rushed the girl to the hospital, but the young Fred was declared dead on arrival.
Investigations showed that the incident was one too many as innocent residents in Yenagoa are constantly attacked and killed by cultists, who invade the streets to snatch smart phones.