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At least eight people were reportedly killed by suspected cultists in the early hours of Monday around Aliade Street, Makurdi, the capital city of Benue State.
A resident of the area, who spoke anonymously, said the attackers invaded a compound on the street at about 2 a.m. and attacked occupants of the house, leaving eight people dead.
Providing details on the incident, Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Area, Joseph Keffi, said the attackers arrived on motorcycles between 2 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. According to him, the assailants entered a particular compound on Aliade Street, woke up four persons who were sleeping and shot them dead. He added that the attackers also killed four other residents who came out after hearing gunshots.
Keffi described the incident as cult-related, stating that the attack was allegedly linked to a dispute involving a suspected cult member from the North Bank area who had reportedly fled to stay with a friend in High Level.
He explained that although the victims were not cult members, they were allegedly targeted because they accommodated the fleeing suspect.
“It is quite ugly and pathetic. The incident happened between 2 am and 2:30 am today, and it was cult-related,” he said.
“What I heard is that a cult member from North Bank had a clash with his mates and ran down to stay with his friend at High Level. Unfortunately, his friends and relatives who were killed were not cult members, but because they accommodated the boy, they killed them.
“I have reported the incident to all the security agencies, and they assured me that they would apprehend all the perpetrators,” he added.
The council chairman said the incident had been reported to security agencies, which had assured the council that efforts were ongoing to apprehend those responsible.
Keffi further disclosed that residents had identified one of the alleged cult leaders, said to have been terrorising Makurdi and the surrounding communities.
According to him, the suspect usually enters the state to carry out attacks before escaping, adding that he had previously been arrested by the police but was later released.
He expressed hope that security agencies would intensify efforts to ensure the suspect is rearrested and prosecuted.
The chairman also commended security operatives for their swift response, noting that the area had since been cordoned off while investigations and manhunt operations continued.
The bodies of the victims were said to have been deposited at the morgues of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and a private hospital in Makurdi.
