At least eight people were killed in a violent cult-related attack along Aliade Street in the High Level area of Makurdi, Benue State, in the early hours of Monday. The incident, which occurred around 2 a.m., saw armed men storm a residential compound and open fire on occupants, leaving multiple victims dead. According to a local resident who spoke anonymously, the attackers targeted young men staying in one of the houses, killing eight in total. The assault has sent shockwaves through the community and raised alarm over the growing menace of cult violence in the region.
The Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Area, Hon. Joseph Keffi, confirmed the killings and described the event as tragic and deeply disturbing. He stated that the assailants arrived on motorcycles between 2 a.m. and 2:30 a.m., entering a compound where they found four individuals asleep. The attackers reportedly woke them up and shot them dead on the spot. Four more residents who rushed out after hearing gunshots were also killed, bringing the total death toll to eight. Keffi emphasized that the victims were not cult members but were targeted because they had provided shelter to a fugitive wanted by rival cult groups.
He explained that the suspect, a cult member with ongoing conflicts within his group, had fled from the North Bank area of Makurdi and sought refuge with friends in High Level. “What we heard was that a cult member who had issues with his group escaped from North Bank and hid with his friends at High Level. Sadly, those killed were innocent people who only gave him accommodation,” Keffi said. The chairman expressed confidence that security agencies would apprehend those responsible, noting that residents had identified a suspected gang leader believed to be behind several violent attacks in Makurdi and surrounding areas.
This leader, known locally as “Odinaka,” has been described as a notorious figure in the region’s criminal underworld. Keffi noted that he “strikes and disappears,” often evading capture despite repeated attacks. “Anytime he returns, several people end up dead. People are worried about how he keeps escaping,” he added. The chairman commended security operatives for their swift response and confirmed that reinforcements had been deployed to the area. Investigations and a manhunt for the suspects are ongoing.
The police confirmed the findings in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet. He said detectives were immediately dispatched to the scene, and preliminary investigations point to cult-related motives. The police disclosed that 11 suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack, while efforts continue to capture the alleged gang leader and other fleeing members. The bodies of the victims have been taken to the morgues of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and a private hospital in Makurdi for identification and post-mortem examinations.
As the investigation unfolds, residents remain fearful, calling for stronger security measures to prevent further bloodshed. The incident underscores the urgent need for sustained efforts to dismantle cult networks and protect innocent lives in Benue State.
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