No fewer than eight people have been reportedly killed in a rival cults clash in Gboko, Benue State.
Witnesses said trouble began on Sunday at the end of a political rally in Gboko East when some party supporters disagreed over the money to be shared among them.
The witnesses said the disagreement snowballed into a big fight between members of two rival cult groups popularly referred to as red and black confraternities.
It was gathered that between Sunday and Tuesday morning, eight people were killed and seven houses burnt in the pandemonium that engulfed the Tiv-speaking ancient town.
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Chairman of Gboko LGC, Isaac Mtom, who confirmed the development to our correspondent on phone, said a fight erupted after a political rally was held in the vicinity.
“The thugs – red and black – clashed. The rally was held in Gboko East. Eight people were killed; the fight involved cultists. They burnt down over seven houses.
“We involved security agencies and throughout yesterday (Monday) we didn’t sleep, even the youths were on ground and they are already making arrests.
“This morning (Tuesday), over 10 people have been arrested and yesterday, six people were arrested. The security agents are patrolling everywhere as we speak,” the chairman said.
The police spokeswoman for the Benue Command, SP Catherine Anene, also confirmed the incident to our correspondent on phone.
Anene said the suspects arrested were brought to the command’s headquarters in Makurdi as of the time of filing this report.
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