1 killed, monarch’s house set ablaze in cult clash

A17-year-old boy was killed while the house of the late clan head of Adija, Chief Joseph Adama, was set ablaze following a disagreement that snowballed into a fight by suspected rival cultists in Ugbokpo, Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.

Witnesses told our correspondent in Makurdi on Saturday that trouble started last Wednesday when the cultists were celebrating “Confraternity Day.”

It was gathered that cult groups in Nigeria usually celebrate what they termed as “7/7 Confraternity Day” on July 7 every year.

But this year’s event turned bloody in Ugbokpo after rival groups engaged in a gun duel.

The witnesses said one person was killed by the cultists while another sustained an injury. But it was not clear whether the victims were part of the fight or hit by stray bullets.

It was the death of the teenager that triggered the destruction of the house of the late monarch. His wife, Ene Adama, escaped being set ablaze while members of her household sustained serious injuries.

When contacted, the police public relations officer, Benue State command, DSP Catherine Anene, said she was yet to get any report on the incident.