Two killed as rival cult groups clash in Benue

Sunday, January 4, 2026 - The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that two people lost their lives after a bloody confrontation between rival cult groups in Gboko, as security operatives stepped up a statewide crackdown on cultism that has resulted in multiple arrests and the seizure of weapons.

Police authorities said the incident came to their attention after a distress call was received around 4:15 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, alerting them to a violent clash involving opposing cult factions within Gboko town.

The Command explained that the confrontation claimed the lives of two adult men.

“Prompt deployment of patrol and tactical teams led to the recovery of the corpses, which were deposited at the General Hospital mortuary in Gboko,” the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, stated in a release issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.

She revealed that a 34-year-old suspect, Iorwuese Aluor, also known as “Gatuso,” had been apprehended in connection with the killings.

According to her, detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have commenced full investigations, while security teams are pursuing other suspects who escaped during the incident.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation, police also arrested three alleged members of the Vikings Confraternity in Daudu, Guma Local Government Area, following intelligence reports that the group was allegedly plotting attacks on residents.

DSP Edet disclosed that officers attached to the Daudu Divisional Police Headquarters raided Tyohena Settlement at about 12:45 p.m. on January 3, 2026, where the suspects were arrested.

“The arrested suspects are Godwin Amough, alias ‘Devil Spoon’, aged 23; Tarakaa Mgbaweghga, alias ‘Biggi’, aged 27; and Terlumun Orpin, aged 19, all males of Tyohena Settlement, Daudu,” she stated.

She added that a locally made revolver loaded with one live round of ammunition was recovered from the suspects, who have since been moved to the State CID in Makurdi for further investigation.

The Command further disclosed that on January 1, 2026, at about 11:30 p.m., police operatives on convoy patrol along the Daudu–Uikpam Road in the Kuje area encountered four suspected cultists riding Bajaj motorcycles while allegedly chasing an adult male and brandishing firearms and other dangerous weapons.

“On noticing the presence of security personnel, the suspects abandoned the two motorcycles and fled into the bush,” the statement said, noting that the motorcycles were recovered and the victim’s statement obtained, “while an aggressive manhunt has been launched to arrest the fleeing suspects.”

Commenting on the series of incidents, the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, strongly condemned the violence and assured residents of the Command’s determination to eliminate cult-related crimes across the state.

“The Benue State Police Command will not tolerate cult activity or criminality in any form,” the CP warned, emphasizing that the Command remains focused on safeguarding lives and property through “proactive, intelligence-led operations and enhanced visibility policing.”

The police urged residents to stay calm and law-abiding, while encouraging the public to assist security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious activities or movements to the nearest police station or emergency lines.