At least five people, including a soldier, were reportedly killed by gunmen believed to be affiliated with cult groups in a recent attack in Benue State.
Reports obtained by Naija News revealed that the attack happened in North Bank, a suburb of Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, on Friday night.
In recent weeks, the North Bank region of Makurdi has witnessed violent confrontations between rival cult factions, resulting in numerous fatalities and property damage.
An eyewitness who spoke to newsmen on the incident confirmed that two young men, whose identities remain unknown, were killed on Friday night.
According to him, they were not associated with any cult but fell victim to the violent actions of the cultists.
Nura Umar, the chairman of the local vigilante group known as Operation Shara in North Bank, also told newsmen that four individuals, including a soldier, lost their lives in separate assaults on Thursday and Friday nights.
He said: “These cultists wreaked havoc yesterday night (Friday) around 10 pm to 11 pm; a soldier and two boys were killed.
“It happened around the BIPC. Those boys who were killed were not cultists. Those who shot them were suspected to be cultists.
“Then, a day before yesterday (Thursday), one person (a suspected cultist) who was sleeping in his house was killed.”
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, has since confirmed to journalists about cult activities at North Bank.
“Yes, there were cult activities in North Bank, but I am aware of one person killed, a young civilian. Operatives have been deployed in the area,” Daily Post quoted the police mouthpiece saying.