Governor Francis Nwifuru has condemned the killing of Ebonyi indigenes in Ogboji community, in the Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State and called for urgent probe into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to reports, the tragic event occurred on Monday night when a group of unknown gunmen stormed Ogboji community. The victims, who were mainly Ebonyi State natives, were holding a regular monthly meeting when the attackers arrived in two SUVs and opened fire.
Thirteen people were killed during the attack, and many others were left in shock and fear.
In a statement shared by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, Governor Nwifuru described the killings as a brutal and inhumane act carried out against innocent citizens.
He noted, “This senseless act of violence against law-abiding citizens is not only barbaric but a direct assault on peace, unity, and the sanctity of human life.”
He further added, “It defies reason and logic that a group of Ebonyi people holding meeting in a peaceful manner will be shot at on a close range. It is unacceptable, and I frown strongly at such heinous act in its entirety.”
Governor Nwifuru mentioned that he had reached out to Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, to begin an immediate and detailed investigation.
He said, “Governor Nwifuru has reached out to his counterpart and brother, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and urged for a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation into this tragic incident.”
The statement continued with Nwifuru saying he believes the Anambra State government and security forces will act quickly to arrest those behind the killings.
“He trusts that the Government of Anambra State and relevant security agencies will work swiftly to apprehend and bring the perpetrators to justice as failure or compromise has the potency to come in between the relationship of both states,” it read.
As the investigation begins, the governor asked for calm across Ebonyi communities. “While Governor Nwifuru awaits the outcome of these investigations, he has earnestly appealed to Ebonyi people, particularly the affected families and communities, to remain calm and refrain from any form of reprisal or actions that may escalate tensions.”
He added that violence has no place in today’s world and assured that proper resources would be used to catch those responsible. “Such barbarism has no place in modernity and state arsenals will be deployed to unmask the perpetrators of the bloody killings,” the Governor assured.
