A burial ceremony in Ezi Village, Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, turned bloody on Thursday night when gunmen suspected to be cultists stormed the event, killing four people and injuring at least 15 others.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived on motorcycles while family members were performing the rites. They immediately opened fire on mourners, sending people running for safety.
According to locals, the gunmen appeared to have specifically targeted some individuals before fleeing the scene.
“They came in suddenly on motorcycles and started shooting at the mourners. After carrying out their deadly mission, they left immediately,” an indigene said.
Police Confirm Attack
Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday.
He said officers from Ogidi Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, responded swiftly to the distress call. Police operatives restored calm and evacuated the victims to nearby hospitals.
Ikenga revealed that 16 expended cartridges were recovered at the scene. Preliminary investigations suggested the incident was linked to a clash between rival cult groups.
“Following a distress call in the late hours of September 11, 2025, suspected cultists invaded a burial ceremony in Ogidi, opened fire on attendees, killing four people and injuring 15.
The Command has launched a discreet investigation to trace and arrest the perpetrators,” he said.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, condemned the attack and assured residents of the command’s commitment to tackling cult violence and other forms of crime in the state.
Police urged members of the public to remain calm and report suspicious movements.
This attack is the latest in a disturbing trend of gunmen targeting burial ceremonies in Anambra.
In January, seven people, including five police officers, were killed when gunmen invaded a compound in Ihiala LGA during preparations for another burial.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who visited the January scene, announced a ₦10 million bounty for information leading to the capture of those behind the killings.
Residents fear the latest incident may signal an escalation of cult-related violence in the state.
Despite repeated assurances by security agencies, cult clashes and armed attacks remain a major threat to safety in Anambra communities.
Many locals are calling for stronger intelligence operations, better policing, and swift prosecution of suspects to end the cycle of violence.
For now, the families of the latest victims are left to mourn as authorities continue investigations into yet another tragic bloodbath tied to cult rivalries.
The post Gunmen Kill 4, Injure 15 at Anambra Burial Ceremony appeared first on Diaspora Digital Media DDM.
