Black weekend in Benue: One roasted, others injured as cultists clash in Makurdi

It was indeed a black weekend in Benue State after one person was stoned and later burnt to death while several others sustained severe injuries during a cult clash between rival groups in the Welfare Quarters area of Makurdi, Benue State.

The rival cultists, numbering over 20 have reportedly clashed during a reprisal attack which they claimed was because some of their members were killed in a previous attack.

The cultists had vowed to be killing the rival members that escaped from the previous attack, one after the other.

It will be recalled that the cultists had, barely a month ago, invaded the palace of the Ter Makurdi, Chief Sule Abenga, collapsed some buildings and damaged vehicles in the place. They   allegedly came to kill the son of the traditional ruler who the cultists claimed belonged to a rival group.

Yesterday, at Welfare Quarters, located along Makurdi-Otukpo Road, the cultists invaded the place and attacked a young man  in the area identified as “Onions”. They stoned him before setting  him ablaze.

The ugly situation which happened at about 3 pm caused pandemonium as shops and other business places were shut down. Noticing that the mayhem was aggravating, the residents informed the police who quickly came to prevent further attacks.

Confirming the incident, the police public relations officer, ASP Austin Ezeani said he was yet to receive official report from the divisional police officer (DPO) in the affected area.