No fewer than three persons have been confirmed dead following a violent clash between suspected rival cult groups in Agwan Jukun, a suburb of Makurdi, Benue State.
The incident, which reportedly began on Sunday night and extended into the early hours of Monday, triggered panic across the community. Residents fled their homes as commercial activities were abruptly suspended.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attackers stormed the area around 8 p.m., moving with precision and targeting specific individuals.
“They arrived and went straight for certain people. It didn’t look random at all—they knew exactly who they were after,” a resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
The killings were reported along Market Street and Wukari Street, with some locals suggesting that the assailants may have relied on insider information to identify their targets.
“The operation suggested they had local support. It didn’t seem like they were from around here, but they clearly had help,” another source stated.
As of Monday, tension remained high in the area, particularly around the market vicinity near a mosque, with residents expressing fear of further attacks.
“Many people have left the area, and shops are still closed. There’s a lot of fear,” another resident noted.
By Tuesday, fresh concerns emerged over a possible reprisal, as some youths were reportedly seen openly carrying weapons in parts of the community.
Efforts to get an official response from the Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful, as no statement had been issued as of the time of filing this report.
Margaret ABAH
