Two persons lost their lives on Wednesday following a clash between rival cult groups in Jato Aka, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the incident to journalists in Makurdi on Thursday, explaining that the violence involved members of the Red and Black cult groups.
According to her, several other individuals sustained injuries of varying severity during the confrontation and were taken to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
Edet stated that at about 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, police operatives from the Jato-Aka Division responded to reports of a violent clash between the two rival cult groups.
“The clash resulted in the death of two male persons, while other victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment,” she said.
She added that eight suspects were arrested in connection with the incident. Those arrested are Mvaater Adebo, Pineter Akurayati, Daniel Ese, Samuel Kwaghzer, Isaac Iorapul, Terungwa Tertese, Aondonenge Aper, and Ternenge Aondokura.
In a related development, the police spokesperson disclosed that a suspected bandit was killed the same day during a gun battle with police operatives who foiled an attempted kidnapping of a hotel owner in Zaki Biam, Ukum Local Government Area.
She explained that following a distress report, a patrol team from the Ukum Division was immediately dispatched to the scene, where the suspects opened fire on sighting the officers.
The police responded with superior firepower, fatally wounding one of the bandits. The injured suspect was taken to the General Hospital in Zaki Biam, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. He was later identified as Terkaa Samuel, a known bandit from Jandekyula in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Edet listed items recovered from both operations to include locally made pistols, expended cartridges, axes, machetes, live 9mm ammunition, and a bag containing charms.
She noted that investigations were ongoing and efforts had been intensified to apprehend other suspects who escaped during the cult clash, as well as fleeing bandits believed to have sustained gunshot wounds. Additional patrols and tactical teams have also been deployed to nearby areas.
The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, reassured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, while urging the public to continue providing timely and credible information to aid crime prevention.
The command also revealed that it has recently stepped up its crackdown on cult activities across the state, following the arrest of four suspected cultists in Gboko last week after another deadly rival cult clash.
