From our correspondent, in Makurdi.
Following a violent clash between rival cult groups, seven persons have been reportedly killed in the North Bank area of Makurdi, Benue State capital.
Vigilante Commander of the area, Nura Shara who spoke to our correspondent on phone said the incident happened on Friday, adding that the clash was between the red and black.
Shara who is also, the Commander, Operation Say No To Cultism lamented over the gravity of casualties, stating that one of the victims was beheaded and his head taken away while an innocent Okada man was amongst those killed.
“The cult boys even broke into one house just at Dayspring. They followed one boy to attack him and the boy ran and entered the house, they scattered the house and left. Now, the soldiers, hunters, civil defence and police are here”, Shara said.
Also, speaking North Bank Market Chairman Odinaka said the rival cult groups have turned the market to battlefield where they come to fight.
“From the little information I gathered, one of the rivals came to the market to access some product and the other people saw him and harassed him so he went back and told his friend and they came back to fight; that is how the whole issue started.
“The market was not opened on Friday and Saturday we expect that there should be military presence so that traders can go about their businesses and be happy. The market is not fully opened this morning (Monday)and the traders cannot be relaxed if the presence of Police or military men are not there. They had tried to turn this to look like a tribal fight but it is not.
“Between that day to today, 6 persons have been killed. To calm the whole issue, that is a stakeholders thing but as market leaders, we are appealing for provision of security. Even if we have 6 force men, three behind and three in front of the market, it will give the people peace of mind to transact business without fear”, Odinaka said.
Police Public Relations’ Officer SP Catherine Anene who confirmed the incident, said they have deployed officers to the area but doesn not have information on the number of casualties.
