Suspected cultists yesterday killed a teenager in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, in a bid to snatch her mobile phone.
The 16-year-old girl, Siefa Fred, a 100 level student of the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU) was shot dead while running an errand for her mother in the state capital.
Fred, who was at home following the strike action declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), was said to have gone out at about 8pm to buy roasted meat popularly known as suya for her mother.
She was said to be close to her residence when the hoodlums opened fire on her in a bid to snatch her phone.
Her mother was said to have rushed to the scene following the gunshots only to see her daughter in a pool of her blood.
The helpless mother raised the alarm that attracted sympathizers, who rushed the girl to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
Investigations showed that the incident was one too many as innocent residents in Yenagoa are constantly attacked and killed by cultists, in a bid to rob them of their mobile phones.
“The incident happened at about 8pm beside Zenith Bank in Amarata area. The suspected street cultists, who were on the prowl, shot her and ran away with her phone leaving her dead on the ground.
“Resident of the area came out and rushed her to the hospital, but she later died. Her is currently at the mortuary,’’ said a source.
The killing of the girl sparked outrage as residents condemned security agencies, especially the police for failing to contain cultists in the state.
One of the residents identified simply as Moses said: “It is as if Bayelsa is a lawless state. These boys are everywhere with arms killing and maiming people just to snatch their valuables especially phones. They operate at night and in daytime without hindrances. We are not safe. Imagine the cruel way the life of young and vibrant Seifa Fred was snuffed out by them(cultists).
“The government must rise to the occasion. They should partner with security agencies to stop this killing. The government should not allow cultists to form their own government”, he added.
