The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a Delta State–born pastor, Elijah Oro, over an alleged plan to assassinate a rival prophet in the state.
Operatives of the police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit carried out the arrest following what authorities described as credible intelligence. The case has sent shockwaves through the religious community in Bayelsa.
How the Alleged Plot Unfolded
According to police sources, Pastor Oro allegedly hired a 21-year-old suspected cultist, Samuel Daniel, to carry out the attack.
Daniel is said to be a member of the Greenlanders cult, a group known for violent activities in the Niger Delta. Investigators believe the alleged plot stemmed from a bitter dispute over church membership and property.
In simple terms, police suspect the rivalry between both clerics went beyond the pulpit.
Suspect Arrested at Victim’s Premises Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, said the arrests took place on January 28, 2026, at about 10:35am.
“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.
He disclosed that officers arrested Daniel inside the premises of the intended victim, whose name the police have withheld for security reasons.
Cult Link Raises Fresh Concerns:
During preliminary interrogation, Daniel reportedly admitted to being a member of the Greenlanders cult. He also allegedly confessed that Pastor Oro hired him to carry out the attack.
For many residents, this detail raises serious questions about the growing link between crime, cultism, and religious rivalry in parts of the Niger Delta.
Police:
Investigation Still Ongoing Meanwhile, the police have stressed that investigations are still ongoing. Officers are working to establish the full motive behind the alleged plot and to determine whether more suspects were involved.
DSP Mohammed assured the public that the command would follow the case to its logical conclusion.
Why This Case Matters Beyond the crime itself, the incident highlights a troubling trend. What should be competition of faith and doctrine is now, allegedly, turning violent.
For many Nigerians, the big question remains: how did a church rivalry get this far?
As the investigation continues, the Bayelsa Police Command has urged the public to remain calm and to report any suspicious activity.
For now, both suspects remain in custody. More details are expected as the case unfolds.
