By Our Correspondent
National News – Suspected cultists have reportedly killed eight people during a deadly overnight attack on Aliade Street in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, throwing residents of the area into fear and confusion as gunmen stormed a residential compound and opened fire on occupants.
A resident, who spoke anonymously for security reasons, said the attackers invaded the community around 2am and targeted people staying in one of the houses along the street.
According to eyewitness accounts, several victims were shot at close range before the assailants fled the scene.
Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Area, Joseph Keffi, confirmed the attack and described it as cult-related violence linked to a dispute among rival gang members.
He explained that the armed men arrived on motorcycles between 2am and 2:30am before entering a compound where four people were sleeping.
The victims were reportedly woken up and shot dead instantly.
Keffi further disclosed that four other residents who rushed out after hearing gunshots were also killed by the attackers.
He claimed the violence stemmed from a clash involving a suspected cult member who allegedly sought refuge in the area after disagreements with members of his group.
The council chairman lamented that innocent residents lost their lives simply for accommodating the suspect.
He added that security agencies had been informed and efforts were ongoing to track down those responsible for the killings.
Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, also confirmed the incident but stated that the casualty figure recorded by the police was lower than the reported eight deaths.
He noted that an official police statement on the Makurdi cult attack would be released later.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the victims were reportedly deposited at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital morgue and another private hospital in Makurdi as security operatives intensified investigations into the attack.
