Cult Related Killing Claim Eight Lives Benue

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

Not fewer than eight persons have been killed in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, after cultists went went on killing spree on Monday.

The Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Area LGA, Joseph Keffi, who confirmed this to newsmen on phone, disclosed that the incident happened between 2 am to 2:30 am at Aliade street, in Makurdi town.

Keffi condemned the incident describing it as ugly and pathetic.

The Makurdi Chairman explained that the report available to him, said some young men came on motorbikes, went into a particular compound saw four persons sleeping, called them out and shot them.

He said four others who heard the gunshots and came out were also killed.

He said, “It is quite ugly and pathetic. The incident happened at about 2am, 2:30 am 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 in high level.

“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. They mentioned someone Odinaka who has been terrorizing the state particularly Makurdi.

“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 persons 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.

While he said security is everyone’s duty, the chairman said he has been doing his best to tackle security issues in the state by working with all the security agencies in ensuring the eradication of insecurity.

“I was promptly on ground when it happened. I quickly called some security agencies and they responded swiftly by laying ambush to apprehend the perpetrators. The entire area was cordoned, unfortunately we could not arrest them.

“This issue of insecurity is what we have communicated to every locality in Makurdi that is why if you go round the local government, you will see vigilante groups not just them but Civil Protection Guards. They are deployed in every street especially in high prone cult areas.”

he said the corpse of the deceased have been deposited at the State Teaching Hospital and Madonna hospital.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet confirmed the incident and saying that six persons were killed. She also promised give details through a press statement soon.