Godwin Okpala, a Facebook user, has described why over 20 people were killed at a suspected cultist’s funeral in the Ebenebe town of Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The AgnesIsika Blog previously reported how armed men, suspected of belonging to a rival cult, had raided the burial venue of Ozor Chibuike Chukwuka, a 34-year-old cultist, dispersing mourners and killing roughly 20 people.
In a Facebook post, Okpala, who claims to be from the same village as Chukwuka, said that the well-known cultist was slain on December 30, 2021, at Amansea.
He claimed that the rival cult that killed Ozor had told his family members not to arrange a proper burial for him because he was unworthy and that he should instead be buried shamefully.
He further said that Ozor was a well-known cult leader who was feared during his lifetime for leading multiple attacks on the police and their stations.
Okpala wrote in his post, “This is the man, Ozor Chibuike Chukwuka, that brought about the killing of over 20 persons in his burial.
“He is from my town. He was a member of a strong cult, he was feared by all, and very dangerous. He was even among those that led gangs to kiII police, burn their stations and cart their guns away.
“Many of our people were hailing him, then later he died by the sword, he was shot dead in December, and his rival gangs warned that he should not be given a proper burial. They warned that if they do, many heads will fall, and it did fall.
“They (rival cult) carried out their threat. And now many innocent people that knew nothing were among the dead. My own cousin was among the dead. Very bad day in Ebenebe.”
Despite the fact that the Anambra State Police Command announced it had deployed men from the command in various tactical units to Ebenebe to protect the people, no arrests have been made.