The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a cleric and a suspected cult member over an alleged plot to assassinate a rival pastor in the state.
Operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit of the Bayelsa State Police Command have arrested Pastor Elijah Oro over an alleged plot to kill a rival pastor. Police said Oro allegedly hired a 21-year-old suspected cult member, Samuel Daniel, to carry out the assassination following a dispute reportedly linked to membership drive and property issues.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, said the arrests were made on January 28, 2026, following credible intelligence. “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].”
Mohammed said preliminary investigations revealed that Daniel was arrested within the premises of the intended victim and had confessed to being a member of the Greenlanders Confraternity. “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.”