FOUR KILLED, 15 INJURED AS GUNMEN ATTACK BURIAL IN ANAMBRA
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Gunmen suspected to be cultists on Thursday night opened fire at a burial ceremony in Ezi Village, Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing four people and injuring about 15 others.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, believed to be members of a rival cult group, stormed the ceremony on motorcycles and began shooting at mourners who were performing burial rites, forcing others to flee for safety.
“They came on motorcycles, opened fire at the mourners, and immediately left after carrying out their mission,” an eyewitness said.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Friday, the state police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said operatives from Ogidi Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, quickly responded, restored normalcy, and evacuated the victims to nearby hospitals.
Ikenga disclosed that 16 expended cartridges were recovered at the scene, adding that preliminary investigations indicate the attack was linked to a clash between rival cult groups.
“Following a distress call in the late hours of September 11, 2025, police operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene, restored normalcy, and evacuated the victims. The Command has since launched a discreet investigation to identify, trace, and arrest the perpetrators,” Ikenga said.
He further noted that the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, strongly condemned the killings and assured residents of the command’s resolve to rid Anambra of cult-related violence.
The incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks linked to burials in the state. In January, seven people, including five police officers, were killed when gunmen stormed a compound in Ihiala LGA during preparations for another burial.
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