Suspected cultists have reportedly killed several people, including soldiers, in a violent attack in Benue State. The incident has heightened tensions in the area, prompting security agencies to launch investigations.
Suspected cultists are reported to have killed a soldier and four others in North Bank, a suburb of Makurdi, the capital city of Benue State.
This malicious act took place on Friday night.
In recent weeks, the North Bank area of Makurdi has been engulfed in violent clashes between rival cults, resulting in multiple casualties and damage to properties.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the two young men who were killed on Friday night, and have yet to be identified, were not affiliated with any confraternity but instead fell victim to violent cultists.
Nura Umar, the chairman of the vigilante group Operation Shara in the North Bank, reported that four individuals, among them a soldier, lost their lives in separate attacks on Thursday and Friday night.
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He mentioned that the cultists caused chaos last night, around 10 to 11 pm on Friday, resulting in the deaths of a soldier and two boys.
The incident occurred near the BIPC. The boys who were killed weren’t cultists, while those suspected of shooting them are believed to be linked to a cult.
“Then, two days ago on Thursday, a person believed to be a cultist was killed while sleeping in his house.”
When reached for comment, Catherine Anene, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, verified reports of cult activities in North Bank.
Anene confirmed, “Yes, there were cult activities in North Bank. However, I am only aware of one individual being killed—a young civilian. Operatives have been deployed to the area.”