Tension gripped Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Friday following the killing of the town’s President-General, Sir Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili, by unidentified gunmen suspected to be cultists. Another man, believed to be a close relative of the community leader, was also killed during the deadly attack.
The incident, which occurred on the evening of Friday, February 6, sent shockwaves across the community, as residents struggled to come to terms with the loss of a prominent leader and the apparent resurgence of cult-related violence in the area.
According to local sources, the attack took place at the School Field in Ogidi, a location that is usually busy with community activities. Witnesses said the assailants arrived suddenly and opened fire on their targets before fleeing the scene, leaving the victims in pools of blood.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity described the attackers as “daredevil gunmen” and said the operation appeared to be well-coordinated.
“Daredevil gunmen invaded our community last night,” the source said. “By the time they were done, the town’s President-General, Sir Ikwuka Okoye, and another victim, who happened to be his relative, lay dead on the floor. The incident happened at the School Field, Ogidi.”
Another source confirmed that the second victim, who was in the company of the President-General at the time of the attack, was from the same village, though his identity had yet to be officially established as of the time of reporting.
Preliminary accounts from the community suggest that the killings may be linked to an ongoing rivalry between cult groups operating in and around the area. The attackers are believed to be members of a rival cult group acting in retaliation for the recent arrest and killing of their leader by local security operatives.
Although security agencies have not officially confirmed this version of events, residents say tensions had been simmering in the community following the earlier incident involving the alleged cult leader, raising fears of reprisals.
Sir Ikwuka Okoye was widely regarded as a key figure in Ogidi, playing an active role in community leadership and local affairs. His killing has therefore sparked outrage and fear among residents, many of whom described him as a unifying figure who worked to promote peace and development in the area.
“This is a very dark day for Ogidi,” a community member said. “Our President-General did not deserve this kind of death. We are now living in fear because if someone of his status can be killed so brazenly, then no one is safe.”
The attack has further highlighted growing concerns over cult-related violence in parts of Anambra State, despite repeated assurances by authorities that security has improved. In recent months, the state has witnessed sporadic incidents of targeted killings, often attributed to clashes between rival cult groups or reprisals linked to previous arrests.
Residents of Ogidi have called on the Anambra State Government and security agencies to urgently step up security in the area, investigate the killings thoroughly, and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
As of the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Police Command had yet to release an official statement on the incident. However, community members said security operatives had been deployed to the area to restore calm and prevent further violence.
The killings have cast a shadow over Ogidi, as families mourn the dead and residents anxiously await decisive action from authorities. Many fear that without swift intervention, the incident could trigger further retaliatory attacks, deepening insecurity in the community.
For now, Ogidi remains on edge, united in grief but demanding justice, accountability, and lasting peace in the wake of the brutal loss of its President-General and another community member.
