By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
No fewer than eight persons were reportedly killed in the early hours of Monday following a bloody cult-related attack in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Area, Hon. Joseph Keffi, who confirmed the incident to Peoples Daily, described the killings as “ugly” and “pathetic.”
According to him, the attack occurred between 2:00am and 2:30am around Aliade Street in the High Level area of Makurdi.
Keffi explained that armed youths riding on motorcycles stormed a compound where four persons were sleeping, dragged them out and shot them dead. He added that several others who came out after hearing gunshots were also killed.
“It is quite ugly and pathetic. The incident happened around 2am to 2:30am and it was cult-related,” he said.
“What I heard was that a cult member from North Bank had a clash with his gang members and ran to High Level to stay with a friend. Those killed were not cultists, but because they sheltered him, they became targets.”
The council chairman said security agencies had been alerted and assured residents that efforts were ongoing to arrest the perpetrators.
He alleged that a notorious suspect identified as Odinaka had been terrorising Makurdi and surrounding communities.
“They mentioned someone called Odinaka who has been terrorising Makurdi. He comes into the state, strikes and disappears. Anytime he returns, lives are lost,” Keffi alleged.
“This is someone who was once arrested by the police and later released. We hope the police will do due diligence and ensure he is brought to justice.”
Keffi said he immediately contacted security agencies after receiving reports of the attack, adding that security operatives swiftly moved to the area and cordoned it off, although no arrests were made.
He further stated that the local government had intensified community security efforts through the deployment of vigilante groups and Civil Protection Guards across flashpoints in Makurdi.
The corpses of the victims were reportedly deposited at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and Madonna Hospital.
Attempts to get official confirmation from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, neither answered calls nor responded to text messages as of press time.
Speaking on his administration’s achievements, Keffi said despite challenges, his government had recorded progress in water supply and infrastructure development across the council area.
He noted that several boreholes had been constructed, while dilapidated structures within the local government secretariat had been renovated and replaced.
“I came with a vision to improve Makurdi and leave behind a legacy. Despite the challenges, we are making progress,” he said.
The chairman also disclosed that senior military officers from Jaji were expected to visit Makurdi on Tuesday as part of ongoing security interventions in the area.
On Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration, Keffi praised the governor’s infrastructural projects, particularly road construction, insisting that the governor had earned the support of the people ahead of future elections.
“He has done a lot for Makurdi and Benue State. The people can see the projects on ground,” he stated.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
