The Anambra State Police Command has initiated a pursuit for suspects following an assault by presumed cult members on attendees at a funeral event in Ogidi, situated in Idemili North Local Government Area, resulting in no fewer than four fatalities and roughly 15 additional individuals wounded.
The event took place toward the end of Thursday amid the funeral proceedings for an 18-year-old youth in Ezi Village. Observers reported that the assailants burst into the premises riding motorcycles and began firing upon the grieving crowd, sparking widespread alarm as attendees scattered in search of protection.
“They came suddenly and started shooting at everyone,” one eyewitness told reporters, adding that the attackers fled immediately after the assault.
A different informant proposed that the violence stemmed from a dispute among cults, portraying it as a potential act of retaliation. “Friends of the deceased had gathered for a wake, and while some were entertaining themselves, the gunmen struck. Many were shot, and several bodies were later taken to the morgue,” the source said. Although locals asserted that over eight individuals lost their lives, authorities verified only four casualties.
The police spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, declared in an official release that probes were underway to pinpoint and capture the perpetrators. He mentioned that initial assessments indicated a confrontation involving opposing cult factions.
Ikenga promised the community that the force remained dedicated to reestablishing calm and encouraged locals to share any details that might aid the ongoing probe.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
