Two persons were killed on Wednesday following a violent clash between rival cult groups in Jato Aka, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident on Thursday through its spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, who said the clash involved members of the Red and Black cult groups.
According to Edet, several other persons sustained varying degrees of injuries during the confrontation and were taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
“On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at about 10:30 hours, operatives attached to Jato-Aka Division responded to a violent clash between rival cult groups known as Red and Black,” she said.
“The clash resulted in the death of two male persons, while other victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment.”
Edet disclosed that eight suspects were arrested in connection with the cult-related violence. The suspects were identified as Mvaater Adebo, Pineter Akurayati, Daniel Ese, Samuel Kwaghzer, Isaac Iorapul, Terungwa Tertese, Aondonenge Aper, and Ternenge Aondokura, all males.
In a related development, the police spokesperson said a suspected bandit was killed during a gun duel with operatives who foiled a kidnap attempt on a hotelier in Zaki Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of the state.
She explained that police operatives from Ukum Division were deployed following a distress report, but came under attack on arrival.
“Upon sighting the police operatives, the bandits opened fire. The patrol team responded with superior firepower, during which one of the bandits sustained fatal gunshot injuries,” Edet said.
The injured suspect was rushed to the General Hospital, Zaki Biam, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. He was later identified as Terkaa Samuel, a notorious bandit from Jandekyula, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Items recovered from the two operations included one locally fabricated pistol, one expended cartridge, two axes, two machetes, one locally fabricated Beretta pistol, two rounds of live 9mm ammunition, and a bag containing charms.
Edet said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects who fled the cult clash, noting that additional patrol and tactical teams had been deployed to surrounding areas to track fleeing bandits, some of whom may have sustained gunshot injuries.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, reassured residents of the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.
He urged members of the public to support the police with timely and credible information to aid crime prevention and detection.
The command also noted that it has intensified operations against cult-related activities across Benue State, following the recent arrest of four suspected cult members in Gboko, where two persons were reportedly killed in a similar rival cult clash last week.
