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Chinenye Nweze was 36 when she bled to death at a hospital in the south-eastern town of Onitsha five years ago.

On 2 January 2023, five people, including the president general of Obosi town, close to the commercial city of Onitsha in Anambra State, were killed in what the state government described as "cult-related killings".

Onitsha South local government area chairman Emeka Orji confirmed the death toll to reporters, adding that at least 12 people were injured as people stampeded to leave the market.

Residents of southeastern centres including the trading hub Onitsha and the cities of Enugu, Awka and Owerri said usually busy markets were quiet, roads clear of traffic and even some students who were due to sit exams had not turned up.

"Onitsha is totally shut down. No vehicles are moving about," resident Caroline Madu said.