Gunmen suspected to be cultists on Thursday night attacked a burial ceremony in Ezi Village, Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing four persons and injuring about 15 others.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants, believed to be from a rival cult group, stormed the venue on motorcycles while family members were performing the burial rites.

They opened fire on mourners, sending others scampering for safety before fleeing the scene.

“The assailants suddenly invaded the scene of the burial on Thursday and opened fire at the gathering, targeting some people who were present.

“The family members of the deceased and other mourners were performing the burial rites in the compound, when they arrived at the scene and shot at the mourners, while others scampered to safety.

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“They came in some motorcycles and after carrying out their deadly mission, immediately left the scene,” an indigene who was near the scene, who did not want his name in print, The told PUNCH.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Friday, the spokesman for the state police command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said operatives from Ogidi Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, quickly responded, restored normalcy, and evacuated the victims to hospitals.

Ikenga said the Command has commenced a discreet investigation to identify, trace, and arrest the perpetrators, adding that preliminary findings suggested that the incident is connected to a clash between rival cult groups.

He 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 15 others sustained serious injuries.

“Police operatives from Ogidi Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, swiftly mobilised 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.

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“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.”

According to him, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikioye Orutugu, has strongly condemned the incident and assured residents of the command’s resolve 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.

“Further developments will be communicated in due course,” the statement added.

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This latest incident comes months after The PUNCH reported that seven people, including five police officers, were killed in January when gunmen invaded a compound in Ihiala LGA during preparations for another burial.

It was gathered that the family members in the compound were making preparations for a burial ceremony scheduled to be held on January 2, 2025, when suddenly, the hoodlums invaded the place and started shooting sporadically, leading to the death of the victims.

The assailants were said to have opened fire at the gathering, targeting security operatives stationed near the local government headquarters as they fled the scene.

The Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who visited the scene to condole with the families of the victims, announced a N10m bounty each for information leading to the capture of each of the gunmen responsible for the killing.

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 65-year-old man, Chibuike Azubike, for allegedly parading himself as the “Obi of Lagos.”

He was apprehended alongside three alleged accomplices while attempting to stage an unlawful unveiling ceremony.

The arrest comes against the backdrop of growing ethnic tension, particularly among youths on various social media platforms, who exchanged banters over Azubike’s planned installation.

Azubike, said to be an indigene of the Obodoukwu Ancient Kingdom in the Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, was arrested with Chief Chibuzor Ani (57), Chief Martins Nwaodika (65), and Ikechukwu Franklin Nnadi (41).

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The four are currently being held at the command headquarters in Ikeja.

According to the police in a statement shared on X.com on Wednesday, the group had planned to unveil a prototype of a purported N1.5bn “Palace of Obi of Lagos State” on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Apple Hall in Amuwo Odofin.

The command noted that the venue was swiftly sealed off by security operatives to prevent public disturbance and protect unsuspecting citizens from being deceived.

The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, said tactical teams, including the Eko Strike Force, were deployed to the location to maintain law and order.

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He added that investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged in court once concluded.

Jimoh further warned residents to be vigilant against impostors exploiting cultural and traditional institutions, stressing that such acts are illegal and capable of disturbing public peace.

This is not the first time that the police would make such arrest.

Notably, on April 1, 2023, Frederick Nwajagu, the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, was similarly arrested for unlawfully parading himself as a titled chief in Lagos.

The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a woman for allegedly abandoning her newborn baby in a bush in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.

The baby, wrapped in a piece of cloth, was discovered near a primary school on AA Koto Street in Akwanga on Wednesday. Residents who found the infant alive quickly alerted the police.

Confirming the arrest to newsmen in Lafia on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, said the Commissioner of Police had ordered the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation and prosecution.

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He said, “The mother of the baby has been identified and arrested. The Commissioner of Police has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia, for thorough investigation and prosecution.”

It was gathered that the suspect is a final-year NCE student of the College of Education, Akwanga.

The incident has sparked outrage among residents, many of whom expressed shock and anger over the abandonment.

Similar cases have been recorded in other states.

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In July, a farmer in Kamba town, Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, rescued a newborn baby girl who had been buried alive on his farmland.

The farmer, Kabiru Kamba, said he noticed an unusual ridge on his farm and invited motorcyclists to help dig. They discovered the baby wrapped in a cloth, crying and still alive.

Kamba informed security operatives, and the child was later placed in his custody by the Dandi Local Government Council.

Out of compassion, he and his wife, who had recently given birth, took in the baby and planned her naming ceremony.

These recurring incidents have continued to raise concerns about the rising cases of child abandonment across Nigeria.