Four dead, 15 injured in gunmen attack on Anambra burial ceremony

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The Anambra Police Command has confirmed that four persons were killed while about 15 others were injured in a gunmen attack during a burial ceremony in Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state..

A trending video had indicated that the massacre at the burial ceremony took place on Thursday at Ezi Village, Ogidi.

According to the video in which some of the injured persons were seen on admission for treatment at an undisclosed hospital, the gunmen stormed the venue of the burial ceremony and opened fire on the unsuspecting mourners.

However, the spokesperson of Anambra Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga said preliminary findings indicated that incident was connected to a clash between rival cult groups.

He said investigations have been launched into the incident to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

He urged members of the public with information on the identity of the gunmen to volunteer them to the police.

The Anambra Police Command spokesperson in the statement said: “Following a distress call in the late hours of September 11, 2025, that armed men suspected to be cultists invaded a burial ceremony at Ezi Village, Ogidi, Idemili North LGA and opened fire on the attendees, resulting in the death of four persons while fifteen 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 (sixteen) 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 Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, 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.”