Tragedy struck in Ezi Village, Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Thursday night when gunmen suspected to be cultists opened fire on mourners at a burial ceremony, leaving four people dead and 15 others injured.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, believed to belong to a rival cult group, arrived on motorcycles and began shooting indiscriminately while family members were conducting burial rites.
The assailants fled the scene immediately after the attack.
Police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday.
He said operatives from Ogidi Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, responded swiftly, restored order, and moved the victims to hospitals. Sixteen expended cartridges were recovered from the scene.
Ikenga added that preliminary investigations suggest the assault was linked to a clash between rival cult groups.
He assured that a discreet probe is underway to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, condemned the attack and urged residents to remain calm while cooperating with security agencies by providing useful information.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who visited the community to condole with the bereaved families, announced a ₦10 million bounty for information leading to the capture of each gunman involved.
The incident comes months after a similar attack in Ihiala Local Government Area in January, where seven people, including five police officers, were killed during preparations for another burial ceremony.