Gunmen Kill 20, Injure Several At Anambra Burial

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Twenty persons have been killed and others severely wounded during a burial ceremony in Anambra State.

The incident occurred at Ebenebe, Awka North local government area on Saturday afternoon

The assailants were suspected cult members who invaded the burial arena to unleash mayhem.

Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred at the burial of a suspected leader of a cult group simply called Ozo

The situation heightened tension not only in the community but the entire State

It was gathered while the corpse of Ozo was lying in state in his compound, the gunmen arrived at the scene and sacked mourners, shooting at them.

A source told The Nation: “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 can 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 many persons lying in the pool of their blood dead.

“The incident threw members of the community into wailing, while corpses littered the compound.”

Anambra Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident.

He said that it was a case of cult rivalry among members of the community

According to him: “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 despatched tactical squads comprising of various units to the area to maintain calm.”