From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be cultists have killed four persons in the North Bank area of Makurdi, the Benue state capital.
Recall that on Thursday, November 14, 2024, a bus driver was killed in the area while conveying his passengers to Makurdi town.
Our correspondent gathered that the new incident happened on Friday night around Court Five, a few meters from the River Benue bridge.
The Commander of Operation Shara, (Operation Sweep), a local vigilante group in the area, Mr. Nura Umar, confirmed this on Saturday to newsmen over the phone in Makurdi.
Umar said, “Around 10 to 11 pm on Friday, a soldier was killed, and two boys were also killed around Court Five.”
He expressed shock at why the soldier and the boys were being killed, saying, “Those boys (the deceased) are not cultists. Those who shot them suspected they were cultists and gunned them down.
“Then the day before yesterday (Thursday), one person (a suspected cultist) who was sleeping in his house was also killed.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the cult-related killings in North Bank, saying only one civilian was killed.
She stated that police officers have been deployed to the area to maintain law and order.
Anene said, “Yes, there was cult activity in North Bank, but I am aware of one person killed, a young civilian. Operatives have been redeployed to the area.”
A personnel from the Army said he was out of town on a course and is not aware of such an incident.