The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that two persons lost their lives after a bloody clash between rival cult groups in Gboko, as security agents intensified a state crackdown on cultism that has resulted in multiple arrests and the seizure of weapons.
Police authorities said the incident came to their attention after a distress call was received at around 4:15 am on Saturday, January 3, 2026, alerting them to a violent clash involving opposing cult factions within Gboko town.
The Command explained that the confrontation claimed the lives of two adult men.
“The rapid deployment of patrols and tactical teams led to the recovery of the bodies, which were deposited at the Gboko General Hospital mortuary,” said the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, in a statement issued on behalf of the Police Commissioner.
He revealed that a 34-year-old suspect, Iorwuese Aluor, also known as “Gatuso”, had been arrested in connection with the murders.
According to her, detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have launched a thorough investigation, while security teams are chasing other suspects who escaped during the incident.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation, the police also arrested three suspected members of the Viking Brotherhood in Daudu, Guma Local Government Area, following intelligence reports that the group was allegedly planning attacks on residents.
DSP Edet revealed that officers attached to the Daudu Divisional Police Headquarters raided Tyohena settlement at around 12:45 pm on January 3, 2026, where the suspects were arrested.
“The arrested suspects are Godwin Amough alias ‘Devil Spoon’, 23; Tarakaa Mgbaweghga alias ‘Biggi’, 27; and Terlumun Orpin, 19, all men from Tyohena settlement, Daudu,” he said.
He added that a locally made revolver loaded with live ammunition was recovered from the suspects, who have since been transferred to the state CID in Makurdi for further investigation.
The Command further revealed that on January 1, 2026, at around 11:30 pm, police officers patrolling a convoy along the Daudu-Uikpam road in Kuje area encountered four suspected cultists riding Bajaj motorcycles while allegedly chasing an adult man and brandishing firearms and other dangerous weapons.
“Upon noticing the presence of security personnel, the suspects abandoned the two motorcycles and fled into the bush,” the statement said, noting that the motorcycles were recovered and the victim’s statement was obtained, “while an aggressive chase was launched to arrest the fleeing suspects.”
Commenting on the series of incidents, the Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, strongly condemned the violence and assured residents of the Command’s determination to eliminate cult-related crimes across the state.
“The Benue State Police Command will not tolerate cult activities or criminality in any form,” the PC warned, emphasizing that the Command remains focused on safeguarding lives and property through “intelligence-led proactive operations and higher visibility policing.”
Police urged residents to remain calm and respect the law, while encouraging the public to assist security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious activities or movements to the nearest police station or emergency lines.