By Emmanuel Antswen
Makurdi, Jan. 3, 2025 (NAN) – A violent confrontation between rival cult factions in Gboko, Benue State, has left two suspected cultists dead, the state police command confirmed on Saturday. The incident underscores a persistent and deadly subculture of secret societies that continues to plague communities across Nigeria.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, stated that a distress call alerted authorities to the clash. A swift deployment of patrol and tactical teams led to the recovery of the two corpses, which have been deposited at the General Hospital Gboko mortuary.
In a significant breakthrough, police arrested one suspect in connection with the Gboko violence: 34-year-old Iorwuese Aluor, alias “Gatuso,” of No. 64 Benue Street, Gboko East. Investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are ongoing, with efforts intensified to apprehend other fleeing suspects.
Deeper Context: The Cultism Epidemic in Nigeria
This clash is not an isolated event. Cultism in Nigeria, often originating from perversions of university fraternities like the “Vikings Confraternity” or the “Black Axe,” has metastasized into organized criminal enterprises. These groups engage in turf wars over control of illicit markets, political thuggery, and intimidation, leading to cyclical violence that terrorizes local populations. The Benue State, with its complex socio-political landscape, has been a recurring flashpoint for such conflicts.
Simultaneous Raid Nets More Suspects, Weapon
In a separate but related operation on the same day, the police command, acting on credible intelligence, uncovered a meeting of the “Vikings Confraternity” at Tyohena Settlement in Daudu, Guma Local Government Area.
The raid resulted in the arrest of three notorious suspects:
- Godwin Amough, alias “Devil Spoon” (23 years)
- Tarakaa Mgbaweghga, alias “Biggi” (27 years)
- Terlumun Orpin (19 years)
All are male residents of Tyohena Settlement, Daudu. Police recovered a locally fabricated revolver pistol with one live ammunition from the suspects. They have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (State CID) in Makurdi for further investigation.
Police Leadership Vows Zero Tolerance
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ifeanyi Emenari, strongly condemned all forms of violent acts. He assured the public that the Command “will not tolerate cult activity or criminality in any form.”
Emenari emphasized the command’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting lives and property through “proactive, intelligence-led operations and enhanced visibility policing.” This statement highlights a strategic shift towards prevention and intelligence gathering, crucial for dismantling the networks that sustain these cult groups, rather than merely responding to outbreaks of violence.
Analysis: A Multifaceted Challenge
While police action is vital, experts note that effectively curbing cultism requires a multi-pronged approach. This includes:
- Community Policing & Intelligence: Encouraging community trust to report activities and members, as seen in the successful Daudu raid.
- Youth Engagement: Providing viable economic and social alternatives to the sense of belonging and power cults offer disenfranchised youth.
- Judicial Follow-Through: Ensuring thorough investigations and prosecutions to break the cycle of arrest and release that often emboldens groups.
The arrests in Gboko and Daudu represent tactical successes. However, the underlying socio-economic drivers of cult membership remain a profound, long-term challenge for Benue State and Nigeria at large. The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies.
(NAN) www.nannews.ng
AEB/PAT
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Edited by Peter Amine
