The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two young men in Oriuzor Community, Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State in a suspected cult-related clash.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Joshua Ukandu, gave the names of the victims as Ogele Ifeanyi, a barber who was killed at his shop and Nweke Obumneme Emmanuel, a commercial tricycle operator.
“The incident according to the PPRO occurred on 1st November 2025 around 10pm,” Ukandu said.
He further said the command was investigating the incident.
However, a source from the community, told LEADERSHIP that 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 Ifeanyi, a barber, was the 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.
However, there is confusion surrounding the death of the second victim, Emmanuel, who some locals claim was 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.
