By EMMANUEL ANTSWEN

The Police Command in Benue says two suspected cultists died during a rival clash on Saturday in Gboko town of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi.

Edet said the command received a distress call in Gboko about the violent clash between rival cult factions which resulted in the deaths of two persons.

The spokesperson said prompt deployment of patrol and tactical teams to the scene led to the recovery of the corpses, which were deposited at the General Hospital Gboko mortuary.

“In connection with the violence, one suspect, Iorwuese Aluor, alias “Gatuso” (34 years), of No. 64 Benue Street, Gboko East, has been arrested.

“Investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to arrest other fleeing suspects,” the statement stated.

She said on the same date, the command, through credible intelligence, uncovered a meeting of “Vikings Confraternity” at Tyohena Settlement, Daudu, Guma Local Government Area.

Edet said during the operation, three notorious suspects were arrested, namely Godwin Amough, alias “Devil Spoon”, aged 23 years; Tarakaa Mgbaweghga, alias “Biggi”, aged 27 years; and Terlumun Orpin, aged 19 years — all males of Tyohena Settlement, Daudu.

The police spokesperson added that a locally fabricated revolver pistol with one live ammunition was recovered from the suspects.

She said the suspects were immediately transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (State CID), Makurdi, for further investigation.

Edet stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend those at large.

According to her, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ifeanyi Emenari, strongly condemned all forms of violent acts and assured the public that the Command will not tolerate cult activity or criminality in any form.

She quoted Emenari as saying that the command was committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting lives and property through proactive, intelligence-led operations and enhanced visibility policing. (NAN)