The Ebonyi State Police Command have confirmed the killing of two young men in Oriuzor community, Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State in a suspected cult-related clash allegedly carried out by members of a rival cult group.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Joshua Ukandu, said the names of the victims as Ogele Ifeanyi, a barber who was killed at his shop, and Nweke Obumneme Emmanuel, a Keke rider.
Ukandu said that the incident occurred on 1st November 2025 around 10:00pm, adding that the command “is investigating the incident”. A Source from the area who spoke to journalists on anonymity said the assailants, believed to be members of a rival cult group, stormed the area and fatally attacked two men identified as Ifeanyi and Emmanuel.
The source said that Ifeanyi, a barber, is said to be the main target. It was also gathered that his assailants had allegedly been on his trail for a while for allegedly playing a role in the killing of a leader of the rival cult group, a claim that sparked the reprisal. However, confusion surrounds the killing of the second victim, Emmanuel, who locals described as a tricycle operator and not a cultist.
Sources in the community noted that Emmanuel may have been a victim of the attack simply for being at the wrong place at the wrong time, having stopped by the barbershop to get a haircut when the attackers struck. Residents lamented that cult violence has been on the rise in the community and called on government and security agencies to intervene.
