Pastor Arrested in Bayelsa for Hiring Cultist to Kill Rival Pastor Over Church Membership

Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa

Operatives of the Bayelsa State Police Command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit have arrested a Delta State–born pastor, Elijah Oro, in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate a rival prophet in the state. The arrest follows credible intelligence received by the police regarding the planned attack.

Police sources revealed that Pastor Oro reportedly hired 21-year-old Samuel Daniel, a member of the notorious Greenlanders cult, to carry out the attack. The alleged plan is believed to have stemmed from a dispute over church membership and property rights.

In a statement, DSP Musa Mohammed, the Police Public Relations Officer for Bayelsa State, confirmed the arrests, stating that both suspects are currently under investigation. “On 28th January 2026, at about 10:35 hours, SWAT operatives arrested Samuel Daniel, 21, of Nembe Ogbolomabiri Community, and Pastor Elijah Oro, 59, of Ozoro Community, Delta State, in connection with an alleged plot to kill a prophet,” DSP Mohammed said.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel Daniel was apprehended at the premises of the targeted prophet. During interrogation, he admitted membership of the Greenlanders cult and acknowledged that he was allegedly hired by Pastor Oro to carry out the assassination.

Authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing to fully determine the motive behind the plot and to identify any additional accomplices. The police have stressed that such criminal activities, particularly involving the use of cult members to threaten lives, will be treated with the full weight of the law.

This incident highlights concerns over the intersection of religious disputes and violent criminal activity, emphasizing the need for vigilance, intelligence-led policing, and proactive measures to prevent the escalation of conflicts within communities.

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