Gunmen kill four mourners, injure 15 others in Anambra

Gunmen suspected to be cultists have unleashed violence in Anambra community killing four mourners and injured about 15 others during a burial ceremony at Ezi village, Ogidi community, Idemili North LGA.

The incident happened on Thursday night during a wake –keep for the deceased while sources said the burial was that of a boy of about 18 years, who was to be buried on Friday.

The source said: “Friends of the deceased gathered to honour him with a night wake, and were carried away as they entertained themselves with drinks and some were smoking. In was in the process that some people arrived and opened fire on them.

“The suspicion on the community is that the boy who was to be buried was a cultist, and rival members came to attack because they knew his cult members would be at the ceremony, and that they could only be caught off guard at such event.”

It was gathered that while four people were killed instantly, about 15 others who sustained bullet injuries have been taken to the hospital for medication.

Confirming the development, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga in a statement on Friday, said 16 expended cartridges were also recovered from the scene.

According to Ikenga, the Command was alerted following a distress call in the late hours of 11th September 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 fifteen others sustained serious injuries,

“Police Operatives from Ogidi Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, swiftly mobilized to the scene, restored normalcy, and immediately evacuated the victims to hospitals for medical attention. In the course of the operation, 16 (sixteen) expended cartridges were recovered as exhibits” he stated.

He said 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.

“The State Commissioner of Police, 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” the police spokesman stated.