Tragedy struck in Anambra State on Thursday when gunmen opened fire at a funeral ceremony in Ezi Village, Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area, killing four people and injuring at least 15 others.
Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday, describing it as a cult-related attack.
Ikenga said officers from the Ogidi Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, responded swiftly to a distress call and restored calm at the scene. He added that the victims were evacuated for treatment and that investigations had begun.
“In the course of the operation, 16 expended cartridges were recovered as exhibits. Preliminary findings suggest the incident was connected to a clash between rival cult groups,” Ikenga said.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, condemned the attack and assured residents that the command was committed to stamping out cult-related violence and criminality in the state.
The attack comes two months after another violent incident in the state, when gunmen killed 13 people during a town union meeting in Ogboji community, Orumba South LGA.
The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, condemned that attack, describing it as shocking, while calling for calm and a swift investigation.
The Anambra State Government, in turn, stressed that the killings were “not targeted at any particular state or ethnic group,” promising to work with security agencies to ensure justice for the victims.
Authorities are urging members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and to report suspicious activities to the nearest police formation.
