Barber, Tricycle Operator Killed In Rival Cult Clash

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.