Awka, Anambra State – September 12, 2025 – Tragedy struck in Ezi village, Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, as suspected cultists opened fire during a burial ceremony, killing four people and leaving 15 others with gunshot injuries.
The shocking incident, which occurred late on Thursday, September 11, has sent waves of panic across the community and beyond, raising fresh concerns about the rising menace of cult clashes in the South-East.
Police Confirm Casualties
In a statement released on Friday, the spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that police operatives swiftly responded after receiving a distress call about the armed attack.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the assailants, suspected to be members of rival cult groups, stormed the venue of a burial and opened fire indiscriminately on mourners. This resulted in the death of four persons, while 15 others sustained serious gunshot injuries,” Ikenga revealed.
He added that the injured victims were immediately evacuated to nearby hospitals, while security operatives recovered 16 expended cartridges from the crime scene as exhibits.
Commissioner of Police Condemns Attack
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Ikioye Orutugu, strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a “senseless act of violence that undermines peace and security.”
Orutugu assured residents that the command had launched a discreet investigation to track down and apprehend the perpetrators.
“The Anambra State Police Command remains resolute in its determination to rid the state of cult-related violence and other criminal activities. We urge citizens to remain calm, security-conscious, and to promptly report suspicious movements to the nearest police formation,” he stated.
Cult Rivalry Behind the Violence
According to early findings, the incident is believed to be connected to a clash between rival cult groups in the area. Residents revealed that cult-related violence has been on the rise, with young men increasingly lured into secret cult societies that thrive on rivalry, intimidation, and bloodshed.
Community leaders have continued to call on the government to intensify efforts in addressing the root causes of cultism, including youth unemployment, peer pressure, and drug abuse.
Growing Security Concerns in Anambra
This incident adds to the growing list of violent attacks in Anambra State in recent months. From road accidents to criminal gang activities, insecurity has become a major concern for both residents and visitors.
In August, the police probed a shocking case of a young man allegedly chained by his father for five years in Anambra, while other violent clashes linked to political thuggery and cult rivalry have also been reported.
Public Outcry and Calls for Action
The latest Ogidi attack has sparked outrage among residents who fear for their safety. Local vigilante groups have also been placed on alert to assist law enforcement in monitoring suspicious activities within the community.
Civil society groups and human rights advocates have urged both the federal and state governments to prioritize security and youth reorientation programs to tackle the growing influence of cultism.
Looking Ahead
As investigations continue, residents of Ogidi and neighboring communities remain gripped with fear, hoping that swift action from security agencies will prevent further bloodshed.
For now, the tragic reality is that a community gathered to mourn the loss of one life, but ended up losing four more to the menace of cult-related violence.
