February 27, (THEWILL) – Armed men suspected to be members of a secret cult, on Saturday, invaded a burial ceremony in Ebenebe, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing about 20 persons.
THEWILL gathered that the incident happened during the burial of a suspected cult leader.
According to a source resident in the area, the 34-year-old man, whose funeral was being held at the time of the incident, was killed on Dec. 30, 2021, at Amansea Area in Awka North by suspected cultists.
“It was during the lying-in-state at the residence of the deceased that the suspected cultists arrived at the scene and started shooting at mourners”, the source said, adding that there were casualties from the gunshots.
He said the victims were taken to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital at Amaku, Awka.
“My brother is among those injured and we have been at the hospital since 11 a.m trying to ensure that they stabilise him”, he said.
Another source familiar with the incident, said “My sister was supposed to be at the burial. She and her friends had already prepared to leave Awka for Ebenebe, but the vehicle they booked to take them disappointed them.
“She and her friends were so unhappy, and they decided to go in search of another vehicle that could take them. It was in the course of going to the burial that they received a phone call that everybody at the burial had been dispersed by some gunmen.
“She also got a video from the scene, which showed several persons lying in pools of blood dead, while the corpse was desecrated, with the coffin lying far apart, while the corpse was sprawled on the ground.”
The Anambra Police Command has confirmed the incident, saying that it was a case of cult rivalry.
Spokesperson for the Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said: “Yes, this morning (Saturday), there was an incident at Ebenebe. A burial was going on, when some people suspected to be cultists invaded the area and started shooting.
“I do not have details of casualties now, but I will keep you informed once the picture becomes clear.
“For now, the Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng, has dispatched tactical squads of various units to the area to maintain calm.”
