5 killed in cult clashes in Benue, Osun

A disagreement among rival cult groups has allegedly led to the killing of three young people in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Daily Trust gathered that the disagreement, which began at a birthday party in Odoba-Otukpa on Saturday, lingered on till early hours of Sunday in Obu-Otukpa, both communities in Ogbadibo.

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Witnesses told our correspondent on phone that during the disagreement, a young man from Obu was hacked to death. His friends subsequently launched a reprisal attack, which resulted in the death of two other persons from Odoba community, bringing the number of casualties to three.

The chairman of Ogbadigbo Local Government, Prince Samuel Onu, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Makurdi, noting that the sad incident was cult-related.

He said he had directed that the deceased be buried immediately to forestall further breakdown of law and order, adding that he had reported the matter to the police.

When contacted, the police public relations officer, Benue State command, DSP Catherine Anene, said the matter had not been reported to the headquarters in Makurdi.

Similarly, at least two persons were confirmed dead in a clash between the Aiye and Eiye confraternities in Osogbo, the Osun State capital yesterday.

The clashed caused panic in Osogbo especially around Obalende, Kolawole, Aalie and Oke-Baale areas as residents were thrown into confusion and ran for their lives.

The cultists were shooting sporadically and brandishing dangerous weapons.

Daily Trust learnt that it was a supremacy clash between members of two cult groups.

Eyewitnesses said at least three persons who were members of either of the cult groups were killed by their opponent.

One of the residents of the area, Ismaheel Aide, said he saw policemen evacuating corpses from the road when the fight subsided.

The Police Public Relations Officer for the Osun State Police Command Yemisi Opalola told Daily Trust that two persons were killed.