A soldier and three others have been killed amid escalating rival cult clashes in the North Bank area of Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

The violent feud between two prominent cult groups in the area has claimed multiple lives in recent weeks, including that of a bus driver, and led to the destruction of property on Ter Guma Street.

Nura Umar, Chairman of the anti-cult vigilante group, Operation Shara (Sweep), revealed that the soldier and two young men, who fell victim on Friday night, were likely killed in a case of mistaken identity.

?The soldier and the two young men were killed Friday night between 10 and 11 p.m. near Court Five at the North Bank end of the Makurdi Bridge. From our findings, the victims were not cult members,? Umar stated.

?Sadly, those who shot them mistook them for cult members. Just a day earlier, on Thursday, another person suspected to be a cultist was killed while sleeping in his house, also in North Bank. It is disheartening that lives are being wasted like this.?

The soldier and two others were reportedly gunned down by armed men suspected to be cultists.

Meanwhile, a military source from one of the formations in North Bank, who spoke anonymously due to a lack of authorization, claimed to be unaware of the incident as he was out of the state.

Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Catherine Anene, confirmed the surge in cult-related violence in the area but could only verify one civilian death.

?Yes, there were cult activities in North Bank, but I can confirm the death of one young civilian. Operatives have been redeployed to the area,? Anene said.

The clashes have left residents in fear as authorities intensify efforts to restore peace in the affected community. (Saturday Vanguard: Text, Excluding Headline)

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