At least eight people have been killed in a suspected cult attack in the Aliade Street area of Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, in the early hours of Monday. The violent incident, which unfolded around 2 am, left residents in shock and fear as armed assailants stormed a residential compound on motorcycles. Many occupants were asleep when the attackers arrived, and witnesses reported that gunmen dragged out individuals before opening fire. The chaos led to immediate panic, with neighbors fleeing for safety as gunshots echoed through the neighborhood.
Four people were reportedly killed instantly during the initial assault, according to community sources. As others rushed out to investigate the commotion, they too became targets, resulting in additional fatalities. An eyewitness, speaking anonymously due to security concerns, described the scene as chaotic and deeply traumatic. The attackers, who appeared well-coordinated, fled the area shortly after the shooting, leaving behind a trail of destruction and grief.
The Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Area, Joseph Keffi, confirmed the attack and linked it to ongoing cult-related violence. He stated that preliminary investigations suggest the incident stemmed from a dispute between rival cult groups. Keffi explained that some victims were innocent residents who had unknowingly hosted a person involved in the conflict, making them collateral casualties. He added that security forces have been deployed to track down those responsible and prevent further attacks.
Keffi also revealed that a suspected cult leader, linked to multiple violent incidents in Makurdi, has been identified. However, the suspect was reportedly outside Benue State at the time of the attack. The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed the incident but cautioned that the public casualty figures may be higher than what the police command currently has on record. He emphasized that a full investigation is underway and that an official statement would be released after verification.
Security operatives cordoned off the affected area immediately after the attack, and the bodies of the victims were transported to various morgues in Makurdi for identification and post-mortem. The incident has intensified concerns over rising cult violence in Benue State, particularly in urban centers like Makurdi. Residents are calling on security agencies to step up operations and improve intelligence gathering to prevent future tragedies. This latest attack underscores the urgent need for sustained efforts to address the root causes of cultism and restore peace in affected communities.
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