Four killed in rival cult clashes in Benue

Gunmen suspected to be cult members stormed a popular bar around Akpehe in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Sunday night and shot four people dead.

Several others were reportedly injured during the attack, which was said to have lasted only a few minutes.

An eyewitness, who claimed to have escaped by a whisker, said he was passing by around 8 p.m. on Sunday when he heard sporadic gunshots as some youths suspected to be cult members invaded a bar within Akpehe.

“I saw people running helter-skelter but no one could say what might have informed the gunmen to invade the bar,” the eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said.

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It was gathered that security operatives later moved to the area and cordoned off the scene.

The spokesperson for the Benue State Command, Catherine Anene, CSP, confirmed that four people died during the attack and many others were injured and were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

According to Anene, “The suspected cult attack at Akpehe is confirmed and investigation has commenced. Four(4) persons were confirmed dead while others are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

“The CP Emenari Ifeanyi warns hoodlums greeting him with crime to desist from such acts as he will not tolerate crime under his watch.”

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