At least three people have been killed following a violent clash between suspected rival cult groups in Agwan Jukun, a suburb of Makurdi, Benue State. The violence erupted on Sunday night and continued into the early hours of Monday, triggering panic and forcing many residents to abandon their homes.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived around 8 p.m. and appeared to target specific individuals rather than carry out a random assault. “They arrived and went straight for certain people. It didn’t look random at all, they knew exactly who they were after,” one resident said on condition of anonymity. The killings were reported along Market Street and Wukari Street, with some locals suspecting the assailants had help from informants within the area.
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“The operation suggested they had insider information. It didn’t seem like they were from around here, but they clearly had help,” another source added. As of Monday, tension remained high around the market area near a mosque, with many shops still closed and residents fearing further attacks. “Many people have left the area, and shops are still closed. There’s a lot of fear,” a resident said.
On Tuesday, concerns grew over a possible reprisal as some locals reported seeing groups of youths openly carrying weapons in parts of the community. Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, for an official update were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
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