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Gunmen suspected to be cultists have killed the President General of Ogidi Town Union, Sir Ikwuka Okoye Anumili, and another man during a late-night attack in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The incident occurred on Friday night, February 6, 2026, in the historic town, widely known as the hometown of renowned Nigerian novelist, the late Chinua Achebe. The identity of the second victim had not been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
News of the killing spread rapidly on social media in the early hours of Saturday, with residents and prominent sons of the community expressing shock and grief. A message circulated on a WhatsApp platform described Sir Anumili as the “duly elected and government-recognised President General of Ogidi worldwide,” lamenting that he was “shot dead by cultists” on Friday evening.
Similarly, a Facebook post read: “Chief Ikwuka Okoye, a.k.a. Anumili, the current President General of Ogidi Town Union, has been murdered by men of the underworld. This is very sad indeed.”
Unconfirmed reports circulating online alleged that the attack was carried out by members of the Aye (Neo-Black Movement) cult. The reports linked the killings to the recent death of one Emma Amasco, described as an alleged cult leader who reportedly died after being arrested by local security operatives earlier in the week.
According to these accounts, the assailants accused Sir Anumili and some community security personnel of having a hand in Amasco’s arrest and subsequent death, and allegedly vowed to retaliate. The reports further claimed that Sir Anumili was not a cult member.
It was alleged that Amasco was arrested on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, while attempting to steal at a residential complex, after reportedly stealing mobile phones valued at over ₦5 million. He was said to have sustained gunshot injuries to the leg during the incident and later died.
However, as of press time, the Anambra State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement confirming the circumstances surrounding the killings, the identities of the attackers, or the alleged cult connections.
Meanwhile, tension remains high in Ogidi, as residents call on security agencies to swiftly investigate the incident, apprehend the perpetrators, and restore calm to the community.
