Anambra cult clash at burial in Ogidi left four dead and 15 injured. Police launch investigation, recover cartridges, and vow to end cult violence.
What was meant to be a solemn burial ceremony in Ogidi, a community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, tragically turned into a bloody confrontation on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
The event, which had drawn relatives, friends, and sympathizers, was violently disrupted when suspected cultists stormed the venue and opened fire on attendees.
By the time the shooting subsided, four persons lay dead while at least fifteen others were left battling with varying degrees of injury.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred at Ezi Village, Ogidi, just as mourners gathered to pay their final respects to the deceased.
According to videos now trending on social media platforms, chaos erupted as gunshots rang out suddenly.
Panic-stricken guests fled in different directions, but many were caught in the hail of bullets.
Some of the victims were seen being rushed to hospitals in critical condition, their clothes soaked in blood.
The clips, which have since gone viral, stirred outrage and renewed calls for stronger measures against cult-related violence across the state.
Confirming the tragic Anambra cult clash at burial, Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, issued a statement to the press late Thursday evening.
He explained that the police received a distress call at about 11 p.m. on September 11, 2025, that armed men believed to be cultists had invaded the burial ceremony at Ezi Village.
Their indiscriminate shooting, he noted, claimed four lives instantly and left fifteen others with severe injuries.
Ikenga revealed that police officers from the Ogidi Division, under the leadership of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), were swiftly mobilized to the scene.
Their intervention helped restore normalcy, disperse the assailants, and prevent further casualties.
Victims of the gun attack were immediately evacuated to different hospitals for urgent medical attention.
In the course of the rescue and mop-up operation, the police recovered no fewer than sixteen expended cartridges at the scene of the crime.
This, according to Ikenga, confirmed the intensity of the shooting and the recklessness of the attackers.
Preliminary findings strongly indicated that the attack was linked to a long-standing feud between rival cult groups operating in parts of Anambra State.
“The Command has since launched a discreet investigation to identify, trace, and arrest the perpetrators,” Ikenga stated.
He assured residents that the police were determined to bring all those responsible to justice.
Reacting strongly to the development, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, condemned the killings and described them as “senseless, barbaric, and unacceptable.”
He reiterated the Command’s zero tolerance for cultism and violent crimes, noting that the security architecture of the state had been reinforced to prevent a repeat of such incidents.
“The Command remains resolute in its commitment to rid Anambra of cult-related violence and other forms of criminality,” Orutugu stressed.
He appealed to residents to remain calm, assuring them that police operatives were already on the trail of the suspects.
The Police Command further urged members of the public to support ongoing security efforts by remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious individuals or movements to the nearest police formation.
According to the Commissioner, community participation remains one of the most effective ways of fighting crime, as security agencies cannot achieve lasting peace without the cooperation of citizens.
The Anambra cult clash at burial once again highlights the disturbing menace of cultism in parts of Nigeria, especially in the South-East region.
Security experts note that cult-related violence, which was once confined largely to tertiary institutions, has spilled into towns, villages, and even rural communities.
Such clashes are often triggered by territorial disputes, rivalry over supremacy, or revenge missions.
Sadly, these confrontations frequently result in loss of innocent lives, as seen in the Ogidi incident.
Civil society organizations and local leaders have continued to call for a holistic approach in addressing the problem.
Beyond police action, they argue, there is a need for preventive measures such as youth engagement, education, and job creation, as many young people are lured into cult groups by promises of protection, power, or financial rewards.
In Ogidi, residents are still in shock over the brazen attack. Many described the assault as a direct affront to the sanctity of life and tradition, as the burial ceremony was meant to be a solemn occasion of mourning.
A community leader who spoke anonymously lamented that violence has now infiltrated even sacred gatherings, making people fearful of attending public events.
He called on the government to intensify efforts in combating cultism before it escalates further.
Analysts believe that combating cultism requires a multi-pronged strategy that combines law enforcement, community sensitization, and youth empowerment.
The Anambra State Government, in collaboration with security agencies, may also need to revisit existing anti-cult laws and strengthen penalties for those found guilty.
Religious and traditional leaders equally have a role to play by discouraging young people from joining such groups and promoting peacebuilding initiatives.
The Ogidi tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked cult activities in Nigerian communities.
The deaths of four innocent persons and the hospitalization of fifteen others underscore the urgent need for concerted efforts to dismantle cult networks across the state.
As the police intensify their hunt for the perpetrators, residents are hopeful that justice will prevail and that steps will be taken to prevent future occurrences.
The Anambra cult clash at burial has now become a rallying point for renewed conversations about security, community policing, and the protection of lives during public and private gatherings.