At least eight people were reportedly killed by suspected cultists in a violent attack around Aliade Street, Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
A resident who asked not to be named told reporters that the incident happened in the early hours of Monday.
According to the resident, “Some people invaded the street around 2 am today (Monday) and attacked some people living in one of the houses along the street and killed eight people.”
The Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Area, Joseph Keffi, said the attackers arrived on motorcycles between 2 am and 2:30 am.
He explained that they entered a compound on Aliade Street, woke up four people who were sleeping, and shot them.
He further said that four others who came out after hearing gunshots were also killed.
Keffi said, “It is quite ugly and pathetic. The incident happened between 2 am and 2:30 am today, and it was cult-related.
“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.
He added that security agencies had been informed and had promised to track down the attackers.
He also noted that residents had identified a suspected cult leader who has allegedly been behind several attacks in Makurdi and surrounding areas.
“He comes in, strikes and leaves. Right now, he is not in the state. The day he comes again, he will kill not less than 10 people and leave. We do not know how he escapes.
“This is someone who was once apprehended by the police and released. We just hope that the police will do due diligence and get him arrested,” Keffi said.
He said the area had been cordoned off and investigations were ongoing, while security operatives continued efforts to arrest the suspects.
The bodies of the victims have been deposited at the morgues of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and a private hospital in Makurdi.
The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed the incident but said the casualty figure was lower than reported, adding that an official statement would be released later.
