Four killed, houses burnt as rival cult groups clash in Benue
From Mary Tyongun, Makurdi
Four persons have been reportedly killed and houses burnt after two cult groups clashed in North Bank area of Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Our Correspondent gathered that the crisis between the two cult groups including red and black axe has been raging in the last few days culminating into a gun fight on Sunday and Monday, November 3 and 4, 2024.
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It was said that the gun battle caused serious pandemonium in and around the north bank area, with residents scampering for safety.
It was said that that the clash caused panic and fears of reprisal attack which has made many residents to flee the affected area.
The chairman of anti cultism group in North bank called Operations Shara, Alhaji Haruna Nuhu, confirmed the development to newsmen saying the two rival cult gangs engaged in the clash at about 9:00pm on Saturday, Sunday and continued till Monday.
Nuhu who described the situation as unfortunate said four cult members lost their lives and their identities are yet to be known as at the time of filing this report.
He said “As at yesterday, Monday , November 4, only one person was killed. Then, last week, they killed two persons. In fact, one of the victims was badly butchered and his body completely dismembered.
“Up till now, we have not seen the dead body of one of them and the second person, we discovered today (Tuesday) that his head was pieced. Again, yesterday the boys shot one person on his eye.
“So, between last week and today (Tuesday), they have killed four people”, Nuhu said.
Another resident of the area, who pleaded not to be named said there was a cult rampage in North Bank on Sunday and Monday morning which resulted to the death of four persons and burning down of houses.
He lamented that persistent cult clash between rival groups in the State, particularly in the north bank area, has become a source of worry, that has affected economic and social activities of the people.
“There was a rampage yesterday in North bank and this afternoon again, (today), there was a house burning at Ter Guma street in North Bank.
“I don’t know whether government wants everybody to be wiped away before they will do something positively. These our boys engaged in killings yesterday and today up till now that am talking to you.
“It is now that they decided to go and lay to rest the young man that was killed on Sunday.
“A lot of things are going on in this area that the public need to know. This issue of cult boys in North bank is causing a lot of problems because now, whether you are a member or not anything can happen.
“As I’m talking to you now, so many people have lost their lives within this period of time.”
The Benue State command police could not be reached for comments as the Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Catherine Anene phone could not be reached.
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