A burial ceremony in Ezi village, Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, turned tragic on September 11, 2025, when suspected cultists opened fire on mourners, leaving four dead and 15 others seriously injured.
The solemn gathering meant to honour the deceased became chaotic as armed men stormed the event.
Anambra State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Awka on Friday.
“On September 11, we received a distress call reporting that armed men, believed to be cult members, invaded a burial ceremony in Ogidi and began shooting, resulting in four fatalities and 15 severe gunshot injuries,” Ikenga said.
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He noted that officers from the Ogidi Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, swiftly responded, restoring order and evacuating victims to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care.
During the operation, police recovered 16 expended cartridges at the scene, which he said were now key evidence in the ongoing investigation.
“Initial findings suggest this attack may be linked to a rivalry between cult groups,” Ikenga said.
He stated that the command had launched a discreet probe to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
Condemning the attack, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, described it as a “heinous and senseless act.”
He reassured residents of the police’s unwavering commitment to eradicating cult violence and other criminal activities in Anambra.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure justice for the victims and to make our communities safe,” Orutugu stated.
He urged the public to remain calm, stay vigilant, and report suspicious activities or individuals to the nearest police station to aid the investigation.
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