Suspected cultists k!ll soldier and three others in Benue

Suspected cultists have k!lled four people, including a soldier, at North Bank, a suburb of Makurdi, Benue State. 

The incident happened on Friday night, November 15, 2024. 

Clashes between rival cult groups have been on the increase around the North Bank area in the past few weeks. 

According to eyewitness accounts, those k!lled on Friday night (the two young men) were not cultists but victims of cultists who were on the rampage.

The Chairman of the Vigilante Group known as Operation Shara in the North Bank, Nura Umar, who confirmed the incident said that four people, including the soldier, were k!lled in separate attacks on Thursday and Friday night. 

“These cultists wreaked havoc yesterday night (Friday) around 10-11pm; a soldier and two boys were killed,” he said. 

“It happened around the BIPC. Those boys (deceased) were not cultists. Those who shot them were suspected to be cultists

“Then, a day before yesterday (Thursday), one person (a suspected cultist) who was sleeping in his house was k!lled.” 

The spokesperson for the state police command, Catherine Anene, confirmed cult activities at North Bank but said that only one civilian was k!lled.

The PPRO added that more men had been deployed in the area.

“Yes, there were cult activities in North Bank, but I am aware of one person killed, a young civilian. Operatives have been deployed in the area,” she said.