Directs Police To Declare Paramount Ruler’s Sons Wanted
His Royal Highness Wilcox Seiyefa Job, the Paramount Ruler of Swali Community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has been suspended with immediate effect.
This was announced in a statement released on Wednesday, jointly signed by the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, and the Commissioner for Local Government, Mr. Thompson Amule.
According to the statement, the suspension follows the traditional ruler’s failure to address the rising cases of crime and cult-related activities within his domain.
“The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri has approved the suspension of the Paramount Ruler of Swali Community in Yenagoa Local Government Area, HRH Wilcox Seiyefa Job,” the statement reads.
It is also alleged that two sons of the suspended paramount ruler are members of a cult group. Authorities have reportedly directed the police to declare them wanted.
“This is due to the traditional ruler’s inability to show leadership expected of his position in the fight against crime and cultism, amidst credible intelligence that two of his sons are involved in cult activities in the community,” the statement said.
“The Commissioner of Police has been directed to declare the two royal sons and all those involved in cultism in Swali wanted. All those involved are to be arrested for investigation and prosecution.”
The governor recently directed the management of Niger Delta University (NDU) to expel students involved in cult activities. This crackdown follows a series of deadly clashes in Amassoma, the university’s host community.
Additionally, a group of former cultists, known as the Forum of Repentant Cultists for Peace in Bayelsa (FRCPB), has raised concerns about the resurgence of cult-related violence.
They have urged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to focus on development and avoid actions that could disrupt peace in the region.
Meanwhile, cult-related killings have been reported in Swali Community, Yenagoa, where rival groups—the Greenlanders and the Bobos—have been fighting over control of a government-owned transport terminal.
Since January 2025, at least 15 people have lost their lives due to cult clashes.