A 17-year-old boy has been killed and the residence of the late clan head of Adija, Joseph Adama, torched.
It came after a clash among rival cultists in Ugbokpo, a town in Apa council area of Benue.
Witnesses in Makurdi said the trouble started on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 while the alleged cultists celebrated “Confraternity Day.”
It was gathered that cult groups in Nigeria usually celebrated what they termed as, “7/7 Confraternity Day” on July 7 every year.
But, this year’s event, as learnt turned bloody in the rural town of Ugbokpo, after rival cult groups engaged themselves in a gun duel.
The witnesses said that one person was felled by the cultists while another sustained an injury, adding that it was not clear whether the victims were part of the fight or hit by strayed bullets.
It was also learnt that the death of the teenager sparked off the reaction which led to the destruction of the late monarch’s home whose wife, Ene Adama, escaped being set ablaze with members of her household through security help but sustained deep injury and now receiving treatment.
Council Chairman of Apa LGA, Ameh Akoche, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent by telephone, said he could not exactly pinned the violence to an argument.
“One other boy killed a young man of about 17 years and there was reprisal. The deceased boy’s family regrouped and went to the suspected killer of their son’s family house and razed it. That happened four days ago.
“The suspect was the son of the former Chief of Adija community. But normalcy has been restored, everywhere is calm now. The deceased has been buried after police and medical reports were obtained.
“The other boy (suspect) is however on the run and the police on his trail,” Akoche said.
Police spokesperson for Benue Command, DSP Catherine Anene, said she was yet to get reports on the matter.
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