Gunmen suspected to be members of a rival cult group have killed the President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Sir Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili, alongside one other man.

The attack took place at the School Field in Ogidi, where Okoye was reportedly in the company of a male relative. Witnesses said the assailants stormed the area, opened fire at close range and fled before local security operatives could respond. Both victims died on the spot.

Community sources described the incident as a targeted hit linked to an escalating cult war in the area. The killing is believed to be a reprisal for the recent arrest and killing of a notorious cult leader by local security outfits, a development that had heightened tension in the town.

Residents said the late President-General was a duly elected community leader who had been involved in efforts to stabilise security and mediate local disputes. His death has triggered outrage and fear, with many locals worried that the attack could signal a new wave of cult-related violence.

One resident, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said the community was thrown into chaos as gunshots rang out at the field, a popular gathering point. According to the source, people scampered for safety while the gunmen carried out what appeared to be a carefully planned operation.

The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the killing and announced that an investigation has been launched. Police spokesman SP Tochukwu Ikenga said operatives quickly moved to secure the scene and have begun working with eyewitnesses and community informants to track down the attackers.

Ikenga said the command is treating the case as a priority and has intensified intelligence gathering in and around Ogidi. He urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, and to provide any useful information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible.

The killing of Okoye, a key figure in Ogidi’s traditional and civic administration, has left a leadership vacuum and deepened anxiety in the community. Local leaders are reportedly holding emergency meetings to prevent further breakdown of law and order and to reassure residents as security patrols are stepped up.