No fewer than eight persons were reportedly killed in a suspected cult-related attack on Aliade Street in Makurdi during the early hours of Monday.
Residents said the attackers, who arrived on motorcycles at about 2 a.m., invaded a residential compound while many occupants were asleep.
Witnesses alleged that the gunmen dragged some residents out of their rooms before shooting them at close range.
According to community sources, at least four victims died during the initial assault, while additional casualties occurred after some neighbours came out to check the source of the disturbance and were also attacked by the assailants.
An eyewitness, who spoke anonymously for security reasons, described the incident as chaotic and traumatic, claiming the attackers operated in a coordinated manner before fleeing the area.
The Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Area, Joseph Keffi, confirmed the incident and linked the violence to a suspected cult rivalry.
According to him, preliminary findings suggest the attack may have resulted from clashes between rival cult groups, with some innocent residents allegedly targeted for sheltering an individual connected to the dispute.
Keffi said security agencies had been deployed to the area and were working to identify and arrest those responsible for the killings.
He further disclosed that a suspected cult leader believed to be connected to several violent incidents in Makurdi had already been identified, although the suspect was reportedly outside Benue State at the time of the attack.
The Nigeria Police Force Commissioner in Benue State, Ifeanyi Emenari, also confirmed the attack but cautioned that the casualty figures circulating publicly had not yet been officially verified.
He stated that the police would release a comprehensive statement after concluding investigations and confirming the details.
Security personnel later cordoned off the affected area, while the bodies of the victims were evacuated to different morgues in Makurdi.
The incident has renewed concerns over recurring cult-related violence in parts of Benue State, with residents urging authorities to strengthen security operations and intelligence gathering to prevent further attacks.