A suspected cultist identified as ‘Eko’ has reportedly stabbed a 65-year-old retired Nurse, Mrs. Esther Amali and her 20-year-old maid, Mercy Mwuese to death at their residence in the Bush Bar area of Makurdi town.
The suspect until the incident on Sunday evening at about 4:30 pm, lived in the same neighbourhood with his victims.
According to an eyewitness who spoke on condition of anonymity the attack and gruesome murder of the victims was an extension of the ongoing bitter rival cult war in that part of the town.
According to the eyewitness, the deceased maid “was dating a member of a cult gang whom she eventually had a three-month-old child for.
“But this did not go down well with her neighbour, (the suspect) who is also a member of another rival gang. He was always picking quarrels with the girl for having a close relationship with his enemy who he accused of having a hand in the murder of members of his gang.
“In fact before he attacked the girl and her madam on Sunday, the retired nurse tried to have the matter resolved because the suspect was always in the habit of harassing and abusing the maid.
“And yesterday (Sunday) evening we learnt that at about 4:30 pm, the suspect scaled the fence of the home of the woman and attacked her maid with a knife where she was washing clothes.
“She raised alarm for help but the suspect stabbed her severally and before her madam could get to the scene, the nursing mother was already motionless.
“As Mrs. Amali tried to raise alarm for help the young man grabbed and stabbed her severally also and fleed; leaving them their pool of blood.
“Though we learnt that the woman still managed to come out of her gate, calling for help but no one was nearby to come to her rescue. When people eventually knew what was happening, the two of them were rushed to the hospital.
“As they were being taken for medical attention she kept weeping and mentioning the name of the young man who attacked them.
“Unfortunately the both of them lost so much blood and eventually died even before they got to the hospital.
“The matter was immediately reported at the ‘D Division’ Police Station by members of the community and family members of the murdered women.”
Meanwhile the suspect who lived with his parents in the neighbourhood before attack was said to have fled the area after the incident.
Effort to get the reaction of the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene was unsuccessful.
