At least eight persons have been confirmed dead following a wave of rival cult violence that has spread across several parts of Benue State.
Earlier on Thursday, January 8, the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, disclosed that two people lost their lives during a cult-related clash in Jato Aka, Kwande Local Government Area.
Subsequent developments, however, indicate that the death toll has climbed to eight as the violence extended to Otukpo, Makurdi and Gboko Local Government Areas over the past few days.
Investigations revealed that the clashes first erupted in Otukpo earlier in the week, where one person was killed, before spreading to Gboko, where two people reportedly died about a week ago. The incidents are described as some of the deadliest cult confrontations recorded in the state in recent times.
Multiple sources said the Otukpo and Gboko clashes were allegedly linked to control of territory, with the violence later spilling into Makurdi and Jato Aka in Kwande on Wednesday, January 7. The escalation, it was learned, resulted in the deaths of three persons in Makurdi and two others in Jato Aka.
An eyewitness from one of the affected communities, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the incident, said the Makurdi victims were shot at close range during separate attacks that began around midnight on Wednesday.
“Those killed were a young man who goes by the name Mr Hundred, who was shot opposite the Wurukum Mosque.
“Also shot around the same time were Martins Dagba, also known as ‘Wonder’, who was killed beside Solace Hotels, and Aondoaseer Yisa, also known as ‘Poka’. He was shot on Usman Street, all in the Wurukum area of Makurdi town.
“After shooting them, their attackers disappeared into thin air. We learnt there were earlier separate fights in Gboko and Otukpo as well. Human life is worth nothing to those behind these clashes and killings. This is sad,” the source, who did not want to be named, said.
Confirming the Makurdi incident on Thursday, the Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Area, Joseph Keffi, condemned what he described as the senseless killing of three persons by unknown cult groups at Wurukum in Walomayo Council Ward of Makurdi LGA.
In a statement issued through his media aide, Nathaniel Mayorofmbawa, the chairman expressed concern over the development while addressing residents through his Special Adviser on Security and Political Matters, Mark Terhide.
He sympathised with the families and communities affected by the violence and assured them of the council’s determination to restore peace in the area.
According to him, the local government was working closely with security agencies and stakeholders to intensify efforts aimed at strengthening security across the local government.
The chairman further restated his resolve to rebuild affected communities, improve security architecture and promote sustainable development across the council area.
He also appealed to residents to remain calm and vigilant, urging them to report suspicious activities promptly to security agencies, noting that community cooperation is vital to curbing criminal activities and achieving lasting peace.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command has intensified operations against cult-related activities, including the recent arrest of four suspected cult members in Gboko last week, around the same period when two people were killed during a rival cult clash.
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