The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the violent attack at a funeral at Ebenebe community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra by suspected cultists on Saturday.
Meanwhile, unknown gunmen have killed octogenarian father of the winner of the 2021 NLNG Prize for Nigerian Literature, Professor Isaiah Onyemelukwe.
His daughter, Prof Cheluchi, confirmed his death after a Facebook post by one Onyi announced the killing of the 88 years old economist.
“South East is indeed going down. Just lost my godfather to the hands of the marauding killers devastating the Southeast environment.
“An 88 year old man, first class brain, Prof I.O. Onyemelukwe. He was the former permanent secretary in the old Anambra State. Later a Professor of Economics at UNIZIK.
“He studied Economics with OAU scholarship at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the age of 22. He is the father of Dr Cheluchi Onyemelukwe that won LNG $100,000 literature prize last year.”
“He was returning to Nanka from Enugu with his wife and decided to follow Oji, Ufuma, Amaokpala, Oko axis instead going through Awka when he was attacked by the hoodlums. He is the cousin of the former Bishop on the Niger, Bishop J.A. Onyemelukwe.
“May his soul rest in peace. Amen!”
His daughter was quoted by the Sunday PUNCH as lamenting: “My heart is heavy. It is the hardest thing that Nigeria happed to my father. We don’t even know where we are headed in this country, but I’m glad he lived an exemplary and lesson-filled life will try to put up something tomorrow.”
On those killed at the funeral, a source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the 34-year-old man whose funeral was holding at the time of the incident was killed on Dec. 30, 2021, also by suspected cultists.
He was killed at Amansea Area in Awka North.
“It was during the lying-in-state at the residence of the deceased that the suspected cultists arrived at the scene and started shooting at mourners,’’ the source said.
He said also that there were casualties from the gunshots, adding that victims were taken to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital at Amaku, Awka.
“My brother is among those injured and we have been at the hospital since 11 a.m. trying to ensure that they stabilise him,’’ he said.
Police spokesperson in Anambra, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident told newsmen that “a burial was going on when some people suspected to be cultists invaded the area and started shooting.
“I do not have details of casualties now, but I will keep you informed once the picture becomes clear.”
Ikenga added that the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Mr Echeng Echeng, had despatched a tactical squad comprising various units to the area to maintain peace and order.