From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Cultists in the early hours of Monday, attacked and killed 8 persons in Makurdi, Benue State capital.
Chairman Makurdi local government area Hon Joseph Keffi, who disclosed this to Peoples Daily, condemned the incident as ‘ugly’ and ‘pathetic’, stating that it happened between 2 am to 2:30 am at Aliade street.
He explained that the report availed to him, said some young men came on motorbikes, went into a particular compound, saw 4 persons sleeping, called them out and shot them, adding that few others who heard the gunshot, came out and met their untimely death.
He said :”it is quite ugly and pathetic. The incident happened at about 2am, 2:30 and it was cult related. What I heard is that, a cult member from North Bank had a clash with his mates and ran down to stay with his friend at a high level.
“His friends and relatives who were killed, were not cult members but because they accomodated the boy, they killed them.
“I have reported the incident to all the security agencies and they assured me that they would apprehend all the perpetrators.
“ They mentioned someone Odinaka who has been terrorizing the state particularly Makurdi. He comes in, strikes and leaves. Right now, he is not in the state.
“ The day he comes again, he will kill not less than 10 persons and leaves. We do not know how he escapes.
“This is someone who was once apprehended by the Police and released. We just hope that the Police will do due diligence and get him arrested.
“As you all know security is everyone’s concern and as chairman, Makurdi LGA has done my best to see how security issues can be tracked.
“As a matter of fact, I have been working with all the security agencies in ensuring we eradicate insecurity. Look at the ugly incident early this morning I was promptly on ground when it happened.
“I quickly called some security agencies and they responded swiftly by laying ambush to apprehend the perpertators. The entire area was cordoned, unfortunately we could not arrest them.
“This issue of insecurity is what we have communicated to every locality in Makurdi that is why if you go round the local government, you will see vigilante groups not just them but Civil Protection Guards.
“They are deployed in every street especially in high proned cult areas”.
It is gathered that the corpses of the deceased have been deposited at the State Teaching Hospital and Madonna hospital.
The Council chairman spoke on the visit of senior officers from Jaji on Tuesday, explaining that it is part of the military intervention to tackle insecurity in the council.
“I believe these high ranking offices want to give us tips and lectures to tackle insecurity in the State and local government. I am looking forward to receiving and collaborating with them”.
As at the time of filing this report, efforts to get confirnation of the incident from the State Police Command failed as the Police Public Relations’ Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet did not pick her call nor reply to text message.
