By Newspot Nigeria News Desk
Anambra State, Nigeria – A burial ceremony in Anambra State turned into a massacre on Thursday, September 11, 2025, as gunmen stormed Ezi Village in Ogidi, Idemili North LGA, opening fire on mourners. At least four people were killed and no fewer than fifteen others were injured in the attack that has sparked outrage across the state.
Disturbing videos circulating online show some of the injured victims being treated at an undisclosed hospital. Eyewitness accounts describe how the solemn event descended into chaos as the armed men began shooting indiscriminately.
Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident, linking it to a suspected clash between rival cult groups. He stated that detectives have been deployed to track down the perpetrators. According to him, police operatives recovered sixteen expended cartridges at the scene, evacuated victims for urgent medical care, and restored calm in the area.
Ikenga urged members of the public to support police efforts with credible information, emphasizing that a discreet investigation has already been launched.
Meanwhile, the Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) condemned the killings in strong terms, describing the attack as a glaring indictment of the state’s collapsing security architecture.
“This appalling attack is not only a tragedy but also a glaring testament to the collapse of security architecture in Anambra State. It is unacceptable that citizens cannot gather to mourn their dead without being murdered in cold blood. This is a systemic failure,”
the organization said.
FENRAD has called for an immediate state of emergency on insecurity in Anambra, deployment of federal joint security forces, an independent judicial inquiry, and comprehensive victim support including compensation and trauma care. The group further reiterated its demand for a community-based policing model, stressing that only local intelligence and trust-driven security systems can address the persistent violence in the region.
Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Executive Director of FENRAD, extended condolences to the bereaved families and urged the government to rise above politics and act decisively.
Newspot Nigeria reports that this latest tragedy adds to a disturbing trend of rising insecurity in Anambra and across the Southeast, with citizens increasingly expressing fear and disillusionment over the government’s ability to protect lives and property.
FULL STATEMENT BY FENRAD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 12, 2025
BLOODBATH AT ANAMBRA BURIAL: GUNMEN KILL FOUR, INJURE 15 – FENRAD CALLS FOR STATE OF EMERGENCY, CONDEMNS GOVERNMENT’S FAILURE TO PROTECT CITIZEN
Anambra State, Nigeria — The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) strongly condemns the horrific attack on mourners during a burial ceremony in Anambra State, where four persons were killed and at least fifteen others injured. The barbaric incident, which occurred on Thursday 11th September 2025, has again highlighted the gross failure of the government to fulfill its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.
A trending video on social media captured some of the injured victims receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital. Eyewitnesses said the gunmen stormed Ezi Village, Ogidi, on Thursday and opened fire on unsuspecting mourners, turning the solemn event into a bloodbath.
Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said preliminary investigations revealed that the incident was linked to a clash between rival cult groups. He added that detectives had been deployed to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
Ikenga also appealed to members of the public to assist the police with credible information on the identity of the gunmen.
In his words: 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 senseless violence adds to the rising wave of insecurity that continues to engulf communities across Anambra and the wider Southeast.
“This appalling attack is not only a tragedy but also a glaring testament to the collapse of security architecture in the Anambra state. It is unacceptable that citizens cannot gather to mourn their dead without being murdered in cold blood. This is a systemic failure.”
FENRAD notes with dismay that despite repeated warnings, appeals, and policy recommendations by civil society, the state and federal governments have failed to implement decisive measures to curb the growing insecurity in Anambra. This consistent failure is costing innocent lives and eroding public confidence in governance.
As such, FENRAD urgently calls for:
- A formal declaration of a state of emergency on killings and insecurity in Anambra State.
- Deployment of joint federal security forces with a clear mandate to neutralize armed groups and restore peace.
- An independent judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the massacre and prosecute those responsible.
- Comprehensive compensation, trauma care, and medical treatment for all victims and their families.
Beyond immediate responses, FENRAD reiterates its longstanding advocacy for comprehensive community-based policing, stressing that any lasting solution to insecurity in Anambra and the Southeast must be rooted in local intelligence, trust, and collaboration between communities and trained security personnel.
“Our current security model has clearly failed. We must shift to a community policing approach that empowers local stakeholders, enhances intelligence gathering, and fosters swift response,” Comrade Nwafor emphasized.
FENRAD expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and stands in solidarity with all victims of violence across Anambra. The organization urges all levels of government to rise above politics and act decisively to end the bloodshed.
Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor
Executive Director, FENRAD
ABOUT FENRAD
The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) is a pro-democracy and human rights advocacy organization committed to promoting justice, peace, and inclusive governance in Nigeria. Through civic engagement, policy reform, and rights-based advocacy, FENRAD works to amplify the voices of vulnerable communities and hold public institutions accountable.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +2348033383708, +2347062949232
— Newspot Nigeria.
