Benue Police crack down on cult violence: two dead, several arrested in Gboko and Guma

By Johnson Arua

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the deaths of two individuals following a violent clash between rival cult groups in Gboko, as it stepped up operations against cult-related crimes across the state.

Several suspects have been arrested, and firearms recovered.

The Command said it received a distress call around 4:15am on Saturday, January 3, 2026, reporting a deadly confrontation between rival factions in Gboko town. The clash resulted in the deaths of two adult males.

“Prompt deployment of patrol and tactical teams led to the recovery of the corpses, which were deposited at the General Hospital mortuary in Gboko,” Police Public Relations Officer DSP Udeme Edet stated in a release on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.

One suspect, 34-year-old Iorwuese Aluor, also known as “Gatuso,” has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to apprehend other suspects who fled the scene.

In a related operation, the Command arrested three suspected members of the Vikings Confraternity in Daudu, Guma Local Government Area, following intelligence that the group planned violent attacks on residents. DSP Edet said police operatives from the Daudu Divisional Headquarters raided Tyohena Settlement at about 12:45 p.m. on January 3, 2026, and apprehended the suspects.

The arrested individuals—23-year-old Godwin Amough (“Devil Spoon”), 27-year-old Tarakaa Mgbaweghga (“Biggi”), and 19-year-old Terlumun Orpin—allegedly had a locally fabricated revolver pistol with one live round of ammunition.

They have been transferred to the State CID in Makurdi for further investigation.

The police also reported that on January 1, 2026, at approximately 11:30 p.m., operatives on patrol along the Daudu-Uikpam Road in Kuje encountered four suspected cultists chasing a male adult while armed.

The suspects abandoned two motorcycles and fled into the bush upon seeing security personnel. The motorcycles were recovered, the victim’s statement recorded, and a manhunt launched for the fleeing suspects.

Commissioner of Police Ifeanyi Emenari condemned the violent acts, reaffirming the Command’s determination to eliminate cultism and criminality in the state. “The Benue State Police Command will not tolerate cult activity or criminality in any form,” he warned, stressing that proactive, intelligence-led operations and enhanced policing remain a priority.

The police called on residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and supportive of security efforts by providing timely information on suspicious activities. The Command reiterated its commitment to ensuring peace and security across Benue State.