In a wave of violence that has shaken the city to its core, at least seven people have been killed and multiple others injured as rival cult groups wage a bloody battle across Makurdi, the capital of Benue State. The violence, which has escalated over the past week, has residents living in fear and raising serious questions about political connections to these dangerous groups.
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The deadly confrontations reportedly began when members of a black cult faction killed rival cultists in the North Bank area of Makurdi. This triggered a retaliatory attack on Wednesday targeting Raphael Ikyav, commonly known as “Don Spanner,” a prominent figure who served as the leader of the black cult.
Spanner, who was killed at his shop along Akpehe Road near Wurukum Market, was not just a cult leader but also held several political positions, including serving as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Leader for the Nõngov axis in Guma LGA and as Central Youth Leader for Makurdi and Guma LGAs.
Following Spanner’s murder, the violence intensified dramatically. On Sunday night, seven members of Spanner’s group were killed and several others critically injured in what appears to have been a preemptive strike by rival cultists from North Bank. Alternative accounts suggest that Spanner’s loyalists may have been responsible for killing seven opponents in a revenge attack before his burial.
Security experts and residents have expressed growing concern about the alleged connections between these cult groups and political figures in the region. Reports indicate that many cult members, including the late Spanner, previously served as bodyguards and enforcers for politicians. These groups have been implicated in several high-profile incidents, including confrontations during the state government’s attempt to remove Justice Maurice Ikpambese and assaults on prominent politicians such as Hon. Asema Achado, Member of the House of Representatives for Gwer/Gwer West.
As tensions remain high in Makurdi, authorities are under increasing pressure to address not only the immediate security concerns but also the underlying political patronage that allegedly fuels these dangerous cult activities.
Police have yet to make an official statement regarding the ongoing investigations into this surge of violence that has left the state capital reeling.
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