Benue State was thrown into renewed insecurity following a deadly supremacy battle between rival cult groups that claimed the lives of no fewer than eight persons across several communities, including Makurdi, Jato Aka, Otukpo, and Gboko.
The violence, which unfolded over several days, is believed to have been triggered by long-standing rivalries among cult factions struggling for territorial dominance and influence. Residents described coordinated attacks, late-night shootings, and reprisals that spread fear across affected areas.
In Makurdi, the state capital, three young men were shot dead in separate late-night attacks around the Wurukum axis. Witnesses said the assailants arrived on motorcycles, opened fire at close range, and fled before security operatives could arrive. The killings heightened tension in the city, forcing many residents indoors.
In Jato Aka, Kwande Local Government Area, two persons were killed during violent confrontations between rival cult groups locally identified as Red and Black. The clash reportedly degenerated into open street fighting, with the use of firearms and other dangerous weapons.
Earlier incidents in Otukpo and Gboko accounted for additional fatalities, bringing the confirmed death toll to eight, according to multiple security and community sources.
The Nigeria Police Force, through the Benue State Command, confirmed the incidents and said security operatives had been deployed to flashpoints to prevent further escalation. Police also announced the arrest of at least eight suspected cultists in connection with the Jato Aka violence, with recoveries including a locally fabricated pistol, live ammunition, machetes, and axes.
Separately, police disclosed that a suspected bandit was killed during a patrol operation in Ukum Local Government Area after gunmen opened fire on officers, an incident authorities said was not directly linked to the cult clashes but underscored the broader security challenges facing the state.
Reacting to the bloodshed, the Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Area condemned the killings, describing them as senseless and criminal, and extended condolences to the families of the victims. Community leaders also called on parents, religious institutions, and security agencies to work together to curb cultism and youth violence.
The latest clashes add to growing concerns over the resurgence of cult-related violence in parts of Benue State, as residents demand tougher enforcement, sustained patrols, and proactive intelligence-led policing to prevent further loss of lives.
Abuja Network News
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