POLICE LAUNCH MANHUNT FOR SUSPECTS OVER ASSAULT VIDEO IN BAYELSA

BY OWOLABI OLUWADARA

The Bayelsa State Police Command has initiated a search for four young women allegedly implicated in a case involving indecent assault, attempted murder, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and unlawful adoption.

A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Musa Mohammed, on Wednesday, indicated that the search was prompted by public sentiment in response to a petition submitted by Miss Nancy Wilfred from Ighvie Town, Ughelli, in Delta State, detailing her distressing experience at the hands of the accused.

Nancy, originally from Imo State and having relocated to Ughelli in Delta State, operates a small business in Edepie, Yenagoa, where she was assaulted on August 29, 2025.

The 19-year-old took to social media to share her harrowing ordeal and also lodged a complaint with the police regarding the alleged release of the suspects on bail shortly after their arrest on the same day.

The incident has garnered a significant reaction from various parties, including the Technical Advisor to the Governor on Girl Child Development, Dr. Helen Bob, the Radio, Television and Theatre Workers Union, the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists, and the Association of Women Against Gender-Based Violence.

A public figure, known as Very Dark Man, offered two million naira for information leading to the apprehension of the offenders, while an ex-agitator, Paul Eris, and leadership consultant, Dr. Ayibapreye Isaac Benson, both condemned the act.

The police statement stated, “In light of public concern regarding the indecent assault, attempted murder, severe bodily harm, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and unlawful adoption involving Miss Nancy Wilfred from Ighvie Town, Ughelli, Delta State, currently residing in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as well as the viral footage of the incident, the Bayelsa State Police Commissioner has initiated a criminal investigation into the matter to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

“On September 3, 2025, an exploratory discussion was conducted with the victim, leading to additional sessions with several community-based organizations and gender advocacy groups. Comprehensive statements were provided by the victim, detailing the magnitude of the abuse and dehumanization she suffered.

“The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Alonyenu Francis Idu, is urging the public and responsible citizens of Bayelsa to refrain from further dissemination of sensational and distressing images, as this could exacerbate the victim’s psychological distress. Collective efforts should be made to support the victim’s recovery from the trauma inflicted by this incident.

“Necessary steps are underway to apprehend the individuals who perpetrated this reprehensible act against a vulnerable young woman. ”

After filing her petition at the Bayelsa State Police Headquarters, Nancy recounted on Facebook that she had been deceived by her acquaintances under the guise of collecting her clothing.

She stated, “I visited my friend for her signing out ceremony at Federal University Otuoke on August 29, 2025. I stayed with my friend Becky on Edepie School Road. We encountered some issues, prompting me to leave her house for my friend’s place, Charity, at AMS.”
They contacted me to inform me that I needed to retrieve my garments from the dry cleaner, asserting that the items were ready. Upon my arrival, they secured the entrance and began to interrogate me. Initially, they confiscated my phone, questioned me, and before I could utter a single word, they commenced striking me with blunt objects.

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She identified her assailants as Becky, Blessing, Favour, and Miracle, stating, “Miracle was the one recording, Becky was responsible for removing my clothing, Kadi was the one cutting my hair with a blade, threatening to stab me if I spoke. She was also the one who struck my eyes. ”

Regarding her health, she remarked, “Concerning my health, I am uncertain whether I may be experiencing internal bleeding. I will undergo an X-ray tomorrow and a complete physical examination to receive appropriate treatment. ”

Nancy expressed exasperation that, despite the apprehension of Kadi, the primary suspect had been ostensibly released to roam freely.

She commented, “I am unaware of the individual who signed surety for her, assuring that she would return by 10 AM today.

“I do not know this girl, and the police officer permitted her to sign, resulting in their release. As of today, their phones are powered off. I visited her residence, but no one was present. ”

A close associate of Nancy, who witnessed the incident, stated, “It felt like a psychological game because when they were apprehended, they left before us in the police vehicle.

“When we finally arrived at the station, the officers initially denied that any girl had been brought there. When they eventually arrived, she appeared completely unfazed. I even inquired about her, and she hurled insults at me in front of the officer. ”

Dr. Helen Bob, Technical Adviser to the Governor on Girl Child Development, characterized the incident as barbaric and detrimental to victims’ mental health, calling for compassion, respect, and decisive measures to prevent such acts and ensure the safety of girls. She posted on Facebook: “As Technical Adviser to the Governor on Girl Child Development, I align myself with fellow compassionate voices in vehemently condemning same-gender violence, especially cyberbullying among girls.

“This conduct is entirely intolerable and barbaric, inflicting significant harm on the mental health and well-being of victims. We must cultivate a culture of kindness, empathy, and respect, while taking resolute action to prevent and address cyberbullying, thereby ensuring a safer environment for all. It is profoundly distressing. ”

RATTAWU women’s leader, Comr. Fortune Banigo-Lawal, expressed sorrow, stating, “Those girls must be held accountable. ”

Additionally, Seiyefa Samuel called for a formal inquiry, while Osuar Daniel Shagari insisted that the perpetrators “must endure the full consequences of the law to serve as a deterrent to others. ”

In a collective statement, Mrs. Grace Orumieyefa, Chairperson of NAWOJ in Bayelsa State, deemed the incident as barbaric, inhumane, and a severe infringement upon the victim’s dignity and rights.
NAWOJ urged law enforcement and other pertinent authorities to promptly investigate the issue and ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable without hesitation, while encouraging parents, guardians, and community leaders to be more attentive in supervising the behaviors and associations of youth in order to mitigate the escalating trend of violence and disorder.

In a statement, Dr. Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry, President of the Association of Women Against Gender-Based Violence, remarked, “This is not what we anticipate from young women who are expected to be responsible and law-abiding citizens.

“It is disheartening and humiliating that my gender is prominently featured on social media in connection to a disgraceful display of violence and aggression for reasons we have yet to comprehend.

“This occurrence raises numerous criminal concerns, including assault resulting in injury, defamation, threats to life, and cybercrime. ”

In May 2024, the media reported that the Nigeria Police Force issued a warrant for a Lagos socialite and blogger, Dorcas Adeyinka, in connection with alleged cyber-stalking, kidnapping, and murder, among other offenses.

The police called on the public to “apprehend and deliver the suspect to the nearest police station or the office of the IGP Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja. ”

The authorities further characterized Adeyinka as a married female Yoruba blogger hailing from Ekiti State and Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

She is described as approximately 1.64 meters tall, possessing an oval face, tribal markings, a pointed nose, a wide mouth, complete and white dentition, and light skin complemented by black eyes.