Three people are dead after rival cult groups clashed in Makurdi. The violence erupted in the Agwan Jukun suburb on Sunday night.
Fighting broke out around 8pm on Sunday and continued into Monday morning. Residents fled their homes as panic gripped the community.
Businesses shut down immediately. Streets emptied within minutes of the initial violence.
Witnesses say the attackers operated with striking precision and coordination. "They came into the area around 8pm and went straight for their targets.
It was clear they knew who they were looking for," one resident told our reporter.
Multiple sources believe the groups targeted specific individuals, not random victims. Both assaults happened along Market Street and Wukari Street.
Community members suspect insiders helped coordinate the attacks. "The way they operated showed they were not random attackers.
It appeared they came from outside but had information from within the community," another witness explained.
Fear gripped residents throughout Monday as tensions remained dangerously high. The market area near a local mosque saw particularly heavy anxiety.
By Tuesday morning, weapons had been spotted in the hands of some youths. Residents warned of potential reprisal violence in the coming days.
Many families have not yet returned home. Most shops remain shuttered.
Joseph Keffi, Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Council, did not answer calls or messages. Our repeated attempts to reach him proved unsuccessful.
Police Public Relations Officer DSP Udeme Edet also failed to provide official comment. He had promised updates but hadn't delivered them as of our deadline.
The community remains on edge. Security patrols have not been visibly increased in the affected areas.
