Five killed as rival cult groups clash in Benue

Five people were killed between Monday and Tuesday in Ugbokolo community of Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State following a cult clash between two rival groups, Red and Black.

It was gathered that the victims were members of two cult groups known as red and black confraternity in the area and that they were killed by their colleagues.

A source in the area, who spoke to our correspondent on phone on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the clash was between members of the red and black cult group.

He explained that members of the red group had gone to kill a member of a black cult group in the area and ran away and in a reprisal attack, the black group killed four members of the red group including a pharmacist, bringing the total number of people killed to five.

Confirming the ugly development, the Caretaker Committee Chairman for Okpokwu local government area, Mrs Amina Audu, said that the cult war started since Monday leading to the death of five persons.

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“Yes, the fight between two rivalry cult groups is true. It is between the red and black cult group. One person was killed yesterday and today, four persons were killed. I have reported the matter to the security adviser to the governor, Commandant of the vigilance in Okpokwu Local Government Area and the Division Police station.

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Police Command, DSP. Catherine Anene, said the police was aware of the development, confirming that four people died in the clash.

Anene added that police had been mobilised to the troubled area, noting that calm had already been restored.

“Four persons died in the cult groups clash that happened in Ugbokolo but am not aware of the fifth person as being speculated. We have fully mobilised our men to the area to avert further possible breakdown of law and order,” she said.