Two young men were reportedly killed on Saturday night in Oriuzor community, Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State in a suspected cult-related attack allegedly carried out by members of a rival cult group.
Sources in the area said the assailants, believed to be members of the Vikings confraternity, stormed the area around nightfall and fatally attacked two men identified as Ifeanyi and Emmanuel.
Ifeanyi, a barber and and alleged to be a member of Neo Black Movement (NBM), also known as Aye, was reportedly the main target, reports The Nation.
It was gathered that his assailants had allegedly being on his trail for a while for allegedly playing a role in the killing of a senior Vikings leader, a claim that sparked the reprisal.
However, confusion surrounds the killing of the second victim, Emmanuel, who locals described as 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 barber shop for 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.
Police spokesperson confirmed the killings.
He gave the names of the victims as Ogele Ifeanyi, a the barber who was killed at his shop and Nweke Obumneme Emmanuel, a Keke rider.
“The incident occurred on 1st November 2025 around 10pm. The command is investigating the incident,” he said.
