Police say suspect allegedly hired a cult member to assassinate a rival prophet over church membership dispute.

Operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit of the Bayelsa State Police Command have arrested a Delta State–born pastor, Elijah Oro, over an alleged plot to assassinate a rival prophet in the state.

According to police sources, Pastor Oro allegedly engaged a 21-year-old cult member, Samuel Daniel, believed to be affiliated with the notorious Greenlanders cult, to carry out the attack. The alleged plot was reportedly linked to a prolonged dispute over church membership and property ownership.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, said the arrests were made following credible intelligence reports received by the command. He disclosed that both suspects are currently in custody and undergoing investigation for their alleged involvement in the planned assassination of the prophet, whose identity has been withheld for security reasons.

DSP Mohammed stated that the suspects were arrested on January 28, 2026, at about 10:35 a.m. He identified Samuel Daniel as a resident of Nembe Ogbolomabiri Community, Bayelsa State, while Pastor Elijah Oro hails from Ozoro Community in Delta State.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel Daniel was apprehended at the premises of the targeted prophet. During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to being a member of the Greenlanders cult and claimed he was hired by Pastor Oro to carry out the attack.

The police spokesperson added that investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged plot, including the motive and any additional accomplices. He assured that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.