Three dead as rival cult groups clash in Benue
Three Killed in Cult Clash in Makurdi, Benue State
AGWAN JUKUN, Benue State — At least three people were killed in a violent confrontation between suspected rival cult groups in Agwan Jukun, a suburb of Makurdi, late Sunday night and early Monday morning.
The clashes caused widespread panic in the area, prompting residents to flee their homes and halting commercial activities. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers arrived around 8 p.m., executing their assault with apparent precision and targeting specific individuals.
“They arrived and went straight for certain people. It didn’t look random at all; they knew exactly who they were after,” said a resident who wished to remain anonymous.
The incident reportedly occurred along Market Street and Wukari Street. Some community members speculated that the assailants might have used local informants to locate their targets.
“The operation suggested they had insider information. It didn’t seem like they were from around here, but they clearly had help,” another local source noted.
As of Monday, tensions remained elevated, particularly near a market area close to a mosque, where residents expressed fears of further violence.
“Many people have left the area, and shops are still closed. There’s a lot of fear,” another resident mentioned.
On Tuesday, concerns about possible reprisals emerged, with reports of groups of youths openly displaying weapons in various parts of the community.
Efforts to reach Police Public Relations Officer DSP Udeme Edet for a comment on the situation were unsuccessful, as she had not responded to inquiries or provided updates by the time of this report.
