The Editor
Gunmen, suspected to be members of a secret cult late on Thursday, attacked a venue of a burial ceremony in Ezi Village, Ogidi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State killing no fewer than four persons and injuring about 15 persons.
It was not yet clear the identities of those killed, but our correspondent gathered that the gunmen, suspected to be from a rival cult group, targeted some individuals who were at the ceremony which was held on Thursday.
Our correspondent also gathered that some family members of the deceased and other mourners were conducting the burial rites for the dead when the assailants invaded the scene and opened fire.
One of the eyewitnesses and an indigene who was near the scene, said, “The assailants suddenly invaded the scene of the burial on Thursday and opened fire at the gathering, targeting some people who were present.
“The family members of the deceased and other mourners were performing the burial rites in the compound, when they arrived at the scene and shot at the mourners while others scampered to safety.
“They came in some motorcycles and after carrying out their deadly mission, immediately left the scene.”
The Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Friday when contacted.
Ikenga said the Command has commenced a discreet investigation to identify, trace, and arrest the perpetrators, adding that preliminary findings suggested that the incident is connected to a clash between rival cult groups.
He said, “Following a distress call in the late hours of September 11, 2025, that armed men suspected to be cultists invaded a burial ceremony at Ezi Village, Ogidi, Idemili North LGA and opened fire on the attendees, resulting in the death of four persons while 15 others sustained serious injuries.
“Police operatives from Ogidi Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, swiftly mobilised to the scene, restored normalcy, and immediately evacuated the victims to hospitals for medical attention. In the course of the operation, 16 expended cartridges were recovered as exhibits.
“The Command has since launched a discreet investigation to identify, trace, and arrest the perpetrators, as preliminary findings suggest that the incident is connected to a clash between rival cult groups.”
According to him, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has strongly condemned the incident and assures residents that the Command remains resolute in its commitment to rid the State of cult-related violence and other criminal activities.
“The Command urges members of the public to remain calm, security-conscious, and to continue to provide useful information by reporting suspicious movements or persons to the nearest Police formation.
“Further developments will be communicated in due course,” Ikenga added.
PUNCH Online had reported in January 2025 that no fewer than seven persons, comprising five police officers and two civilians lost their lives when some yet-to-be-identified gunmen invaded a compound at Umuike, Ubahuekwem community in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that the family members were in the compound were making preparations for a burial ceremony scheduled to hold on January 2, 2025, when suddenly, the hoodlums invaded the place and started shooting sporadically, leading to the death of the victims.
The assailants were said to have opened fire at the gathering, targeting security operatives stationed near the local government headquarters as they fled the scene.
The Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who visited the scene to condole with the families of the victims, announced a N10m bounty each for information leading to the capture of each of the gunmen responsible for the killing.
