At least two people have been confirmed dead following a violent clash between rival cult groups in Jato Aka, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Benue State Police Command said the incident involved members of the Red and Black cult groups and left several others with varying degrees of injuries.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed this to journalists in Makurdi, explaining that operatives from the Jato-Aka Division immidately responded to the incident.
“The clash resulted in the death of two male persons, while other victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment,” Edet said.
According to the police spokesperson, eight suspects were arrested in connection with the cult-related violence. They were identified as Mvaater Adebo, Pineter Akurayati, Daniel Ese, Samuel Kwaghzer, Isaac Iorapul, Terungwa Tertese, Aondonenge Aper, and Ternenge Aondokura.
Edet added that in a separate operation, a suspected bandit was killed during a gun duel with police operatives who foiled an attempted kidnap of a hotelier in Zaki Biam, Ukum Local Government Area.
“Acting swiftly on the information, a patrol team attached to Ukum Division was immediately deployed to the location. Upon sighting the police operatives, the bandits opened fire,” he said.
“The patrol team responded with superior firepower, during which one of the bandits sustained fatal gunshot injuries.”
The injured suspect was rushed to the General Hospital in Zaki Biam, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
“The deceased was later identified as Terkaa Samuel, a notorious bandit from Jandekyula in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State,” Edet added.
Items recovered from the two operations included a locally fabricated pistol, an expended cartridge, two axes, two machetes, a locally made Beretta pistol, two rounds of live 9mm ammunition, and a bag containing charms.
The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects linked to the cult clash, noting that additional patrol and tactical teams had been deployed to surrounding communities.
The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, reassured residents of the command’s commitment to maintaining peace and security across the state.
“We remain unwavering in our resolve to safeguard lives and property. We also encourage members of the public to provide timely and credible information that can aid crime prevention and detection,” he said.
The Benue State Police Command added that it had intensified operations against cult-related activities in recent days, following the arrest of four suspected cult members in Gboko last week after another deadly clash between rival groups.
