By Ikeugonna Eleke
Gunmen suspected to be cultists have killed four mourners and injured about 15 other persons during a burial ceremony in Anambra State.
The incident happened on Thursday night of September 11, at Ezi Village in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said the burial was that of a boy of about 18 years who was to be buried the next day, Friday, and alleged to be a member of the rival cult of the attackers.
A 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. It was in the process that some people arrived and opened fire on them.
‘The suspicion in the community is that the boy who was to be buried was a cultist and that 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 an 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 treatment.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident.
He said the Command was alerted following a distress call in the late hours of 11th September that armed men suspected to be cultists invaded a burial ceremony at Ezi Village, Ogidi, Idemili North LGA.
‘They opened fire on the attendees, resulting in the death of four persons, while 15 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 expended cartridges were recovered as exhibits. 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 formation,’ Ikenga said.
