No fewer than seven persons has been reportedly killed following a cult war between rival groups in the North Bank area of Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The Benue State Police Command begins investigation into the rival cult clash.
The severity of the clash, according to eyewitnesses, forced the market located around the area to close for business.
Sources that narrated the incident stated that the victims were killed in different parts of the North Bank suburb during a violent clash between the Black Axe and Red confraternity.
Nura Shara, a vigilante commander in the area, who spoke to journalists on phone, said the incident happened on Friday.
Shara, who is also the Commander, Operation Say No To Cultism, said the casualty in the gang war is enormous as one of the victims was beheaded and his head taken away.
He also said that a commercial motorcyclist was also one of those who lost their lives.
According to Shara “The cult boys even broke into one house just at Dayspring area. They followed one boy to attack him and the boy ran and entered the house, they scattered the house and left. Now, the soldiers, hunters, civil defence and police are here”.
North Bank Market Chairman, Odinaka, also speaking, said the rival cult groups have turned the market to a battlefield where they come to fight.
“From the little information I gathered, one of the rivals came to the market to access some products and the other people saw him and harassed him so he went back and told his friend and they came back to fight; that is how the whole issue started.
“The market was not opened on Friday and Saturday we expect that there should be military presence so that traders can go about their businesses and be happy. The market is not fully opened this morning (Monday) and the traders cannot be relaxed if the presence of police or military men are not there. They had tried to turn this to look like a tribal fight but it is not.
“Between that day to today, six persons have been killed. To calm the whole issue, that is a stakeholders thing but as market leaders, we are appealing for provision of security. Even if we have six force men, three behind and three in front of the market, it will give the people peace of mind to transact business without fear,” Odinaka said.
SP Catherine Anene, Police Public Relations’ Officer, who confirmed the incident, said they have deployed officers to the area but she does not have information on the number of casualties.
