From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Palpable fear have enveloped parts of North Bank area of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, after rival cult groups clashed in the area and killed seven persons.
Our correspondent gathered that as a result of the magnitude of the clash, the North Bank market located in the area have been forcefully closed.
Sources said the clash was between the ‘black axe and red axe cult groups.
Chairman of North Bank market, Comrade Sabinus Odinaka, who narrated how the crisis started, said that one of the rival groups came to the market to access some product and some people who belong to the other group saw him and harassed him.
According to Odinaka “He went back and told his friend and they came back to fight, that is how the whole issue started. Between that Saturday and today, Monday, February 26, 2024, six persons have been killed.”
Despite the proximity of military barracks to the scene of the incident, Odinaka said that that did not deter the cultists to bare their fangs within the area.
“The issue of barrack as far as we are concerned is completely useless. In fact, we do not have any military barrack within North Bank. Even the C Division, we don’t have anyone. Their response are usually very very low.”
Two military barracks, Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, (NASME), and Nigerian Army 72 barracks are located in North Bank.
A leader of vigilant group in the area, Nura Umah, who spoke to newsmen on Monday, said that six cult members lost their lives during the clash, adding that one okada ridder was also killed during the clash.
“Six cult members were killed during the clash, two from red axe and four others from black axe, even the cultists butchered one of their rival members and went away with the head of the victim.
“Unfortunately, one okada man ran into the clash and was killed making it seven,” he said.
Umah said that security operatives have been deployed to the area.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Benue State Command, SP Catherine Anene, said that officers have been deployed to the troubled area.
She said, “Report of cult activities in North Bank were received and the command deployed police officers to take charge.
“Investigation is on going. I have no report of number of victims,” she said.