Gunmen terrorising some communities in Anambra State have given them conditions on how to bury their family members and loved ones, The Nation reports.
The hoodlums said no matter the person that dies in Isseke and Azia communities in Ihiala local government area, there must be not more than 20 mourners at the funerals, including family members.
The grieving families were also told never to involve any security operative at the funeral, warning the corpses will not be buried if they do.
The Nation couldn’t reach Anambra Police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga for confirmation of the development, but a Senior Police Officer and residents confirmed it was true.
The Senior police officer told The Nation in confidence:”We will never allow them to succeed, they are jokers “
The officer added: “They are just trying the Will of security operatives and they must receive it this time around. Since they are adamant despite the number they have lost in recent times, enough is enough.
“Our Commissioner is now Assistant Inspector General of police AIG, Echeng Echeng and we are waiting for the new one to take over. We are going to give them what ever they want.”
One of the residents in Isseke, Judith, told The Nation they buried their mother recently without relatives for fear of being killed by the gunmen.
“Only 20 persons attended the woman’s burial without in-laws, friends and associates. What it means is that if it’s a large family, the persons sons and daughters will not come close,” she added.
She said the family relocated to Onitsha to entertain guests because only 20 persons were allowed access to the burial place.
Another resident, Ngozi, said she could not attend the burial of her in-law recently because of the development.
She told The Nation the the burial reception was taken to Nnewi to avoid bloodshed despite advice of security operatives to the contrary.
(Courtesy, excluding headline, The Nation)
