No fewer than seven people were reportedly killed in a rival cult clash that rocked North Bank, a suburb of Makurdi, Benue State.

The severity of the clash, according to an eyewitness, forced the market located around the area to close for business.

According to a source, the clash was between Black Axe and Red Axe cult groups.

An eyewitness, who is the chairman of North Bank market, Cibilus Odinaka, narrated how the crisis started, stating that one of the rivals came to the market to access some product and the other people saw him and harassed him.

“He went back and told his friends and they came back to fight. That was how the whole issue started. Between that Saturday and today (Monday), six persons have been killed,” he said.

Despite the proximity of military barracks to the scene of the incident, Odinaka said that this did not stop the cultists.

He said, “The issue of barracks as far as we are concerned, is completely useless. In fact, we do not have any military barracks within North Bank. Even the C Division, we don’t have anyone. Their response are usually very very low.”

It was observed that two military barracks, the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering and Nigerian Army 72 Barracks are located in North Bank.

A leader of vigilance group in the area, Nura Umah, who spoke to journalists on Monday said that six cult members lost their lives during the clash and added that one commercial motorcyclist was killed during the clash.

He said, “Six cult members were killed during the clash, two from Red Axe and four others from Black Axe. Even the cultists went away with the head of one of the victims.

“Unfortunately, one okada man ran into the clash and was killed.

He added that security operatives have been deployed to the area.

Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, said that officers have been deployed to the troubled area.

She said, “Report of cult activities in North Bank were reported and the command deployed police officers to take charge. Investigation is ongoing. I have no report of number of victims, please.”

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