A barber and a tricycle operator were both killed on Saturday night in the Oriuzor community of Ezza North Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.
The murders are believed to be related to a cult attack by members of a rival cult group.
According to local sources, the assailants, thought to be members of the Vikings confraternity, stormed the area and fatally attacked two men identified as Ogele Ifeanyi and Nweke Emmanuel.
Ifeanyi, a barber, was reportedly the main target and was alleged to be a member of the Neo Black Movement (NBM), also known as Aye. It is said that his attackers had been pursuing him for some time due to his supposed involvement in the killing of a senior Vikings leader, which prompted the retaliation.
The circumstances surrounding the death of the second victim, Emmanuel, remain unclear. Locals describe him as a tricycle operator who was not involved in any cult activities. It is believed that Emmanuel may have been an innocent bystander, killed simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time while stopping by the barbershop for a haircut when the attack occurred.
Residents have expressed their concern over the rising trend of cult violence in the community and have called on the government and security agencies to take action.
Police spokesperson in the state, Joshua Ukandu confirmed the killings on Monday, identifying the victims as Ogele Ifeanyi, the barber who was killed in his shop, and Nweke Emmanuel, the tricycle operator.
‘The incident occurred on 1st November 2025 around 10pm, the command is investigating the incident’, he said.