Benue ‘cult’ violence claims 20 lives in 6 months
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At least seven people were killed on Sunday night in Akpehe, a suburb of Makurdi metropolis in Benue State, during a suspected cult clash.
Residents said the violence, which broke out around 8pm at a drinking joint near OxNet Water Factory, close to Division ‘E’ Police Station, caused panic as people fled the scene while vehicles passing along Akpehe-Wurukum Road reportedly sped off in fear.
“It was terrifying. Gunshots erupted suddenly near a bar close to OxNet Water. When it ended, seven bodies lay on the ground,” a resident identified as Terdoo told our correspondent, adding that four others were seriously wounded and hospitalised.
Another resident, who spoke anonymously, suggested the attack was a revenge killing linked to the murder of a youth mobiliser days earlier.
The resident alleged that rivalry over political youth leadership positions between cult groups might have triggered the violence.
Other witnesses recounted chaotic scenes, including a man fleeing with blood streaming from his back.
“It looked like a cult war playing out right before our eyes,” one witness said.
Police spokesperson, CSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the attack but put the death toll at four.
Content retrieved from: https://dailytrust.com/benue-cult-violence-claims-20-lives-in-6-months/.
