At least, eight persons have been killed following a suspected cult attack in the Aliade Street area of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, during the early hours of Monday.
According to residents, the attackers reportedly arrived around 2am on motorcycles and stormed a residential compound while many occupants were asleep.
Witnesses said the gunmen allegedly dragged out some residents before opening fire at close range.
Community sources claimed that four people died instantly during the first phase of the attack.
Residents further alleged that after the initial gunshots, neighbours who rushed out to understand what was happening were also attacked by the assailants, leading to more casualties.
An eyewitness who spoke anonymously for security reasons described the scene as chaotic and traumatic, saying the attackers operated in a coordinated manner before fleeing immediately after the shooting.
The Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Area, Joseph Keffi, confirmed the incident and linked the violence to suspected cult activities.
According to Keffi, preliminary findings suggest the attack stemmed from a disagreement involving rival cult groups.
He stated that some innocent residents were caught in the violence because they allegedly accommodated one of the individuals connected to the dispute.
He added that security agencies had already been mobilised and were working to identify and arrest all those involved.
Keffi also revealed that a suspected cult leader allegedly linked to repeated violent incidents in Makurdi had been identified, although the suspect was reportedly outside Benue State at the time of the attack.
Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, also confirmed the incident but noted that the casualty figures circulating publicly may be higher than the official records currently available to the command.
He said a detailed statement would be released after ongoing investigations and verification processes are completed.
Security personnel reportedly cordoned off the affected area shortly after the attack, while bodies of the victims were evacuated to different morgues in Makurdi.
The incident has renewed concerns over recurring cult-related violence in parts of Benue State, with residents calling for intensified security operations and stronger intelligence gathering to curb further attacks.
Eight feared dead in Benue rival cult clash
