Two killed in rival cult clash as Benue police arrest suspects, recover firearms
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The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two persons following a violent clash between rival cult groups in Gboko, even as it intensified operations against cult-related activities across the state, leading to the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of firearms.
The Command said it received a distress call at about 4:15 am on Saturday, January 3, 2026, reporting a deadly confrontation between rival cult factions in Gboko town.
According to the police, the clash resulted in the deaths of two adult males. “Prompt deployment of patrol and tactical teams led to the recovery of the corpses, which were deposited at the General Hospital mortuary in Gboko,” the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said in a statement issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
She disclosed that one suspect, identified as Iorwuese Aluor, popularly known as “Gatuso,” aged 34, was arrested in connection with the incident. She added that investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) were ongoing, while efforts had been intensified to apprehend other suspects who fled the scene.
In a related development, the Command also arrested three suspected members of the Vikings Confraternity in Daudu, Guma Local Government Area, following credible intelligence that the group was planning to launch violent attacks on some residents.
DSP Edet said police operatives from the Daudu Divisional Headquarters stormed Tyohena Settlement at about 12:45 pm on January 3, 2026, and arrested the suspects during the operation.
Content retrieved from: vanguardngr.com/2026/01/two-killed-in-rival-cult-clash-as-benue-police-arrest-suspects-recover-firearms/.
