Cult clashes between rival cult groups have claimed the lives of two students of the Benue State University (BSU) in the last few days, in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
According to sources, the first incident took place around Rahama Hospital area of the metropolis in which a 300 Level student of the university was said to have been shot dead around 8:00p.m, last Tuesday.
Our source said a group of armed young youths had waylaid the victim, shot him at close range and ensured he was dead before they left him in a pool of his blood.
“It was around 8pm when a group of people attacked the young man and shot at him, the attackers ensured that the man died before they left the place.
“Just yesterday at about 4:30p.m. in broad day light, the second victim was accosted on Dunamis Street directly opposite the second gate of the university where a 400 Level student of Theatre Arts of the same university was gunned down and then hit with heavy stones on the head until he gave up the ghost.”
Our informant also said the attackers, numbering about 17, had followed the young man to the area as he was going to a barbering salon to have his hair cut when they accosted him and killed him there.
“The young man was a student of 400 level student of Theatre Art of the Benue State University, he was a resident of Gyado Villa. He was going to have a hair cut when he was attacked.
“The attackers were armed with guns, axes, cutlasses and stones, they rushed at him and shot him dead,” the eyewitness said. “Within a twinkle of an eye, the whole area was deserted as residents and traders scampered for safety.”
Confirming the two incidents, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Moses Yamu, said that two students were killed during rival cult clashes adding that one suspect had been arrested in connection with the killings.
According to Yamu, “Acting on a report that one Oketa Simon, a 300level Mass Communication undergraduate of Benue State University was shot dead on 06/11/2018 at about 1930hrs in a farm opposite Rahama Clinic Logo II Makurdi, the Police arrested one Samuel Ochoechi 18 years a non-student in connection to the crime.
“The suspect, during investigation, confessed to have conspired with three others namely; Bem Uper aka Movement, Viper and Chemical (real names not known), all members of the Red Confraternity and killed the deceased who is said to be a member of the Black Confraternity over a missing Jean trouser.
“While effort was ongoing to arrest his accomplices, the said Bem Uper aka Movement a 400level Theatre Arts undergraduate of same University was unfortunately, hacked by rival cult group in retaliation on 07/11/2018 beside Kyabiz Filling Station opposite Benue University second gate.
“Effort is ongoing to arrest all those involved in both killings and would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.
Yamu said that the Benue Commissioner of Police, CP Ene Okon has advised Parents and Guardians to warn their wards against all social vices capable of ruining their lives while promising that the Command under his watch would not spare anyone involved in Cultism or any Criminal activity.
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