A wave of grief and outrage swept through Ebonyi State following the killing of 13 of its indigenes in Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State. The victims, reportedly gathered peacefully for a meeting, were shot at close range in an act Governor Francis Nwifuru described as “barbaric” and a direct assault on the sanctity of human life.
Governor Nwifuru, visibly shaken by the news, condemned the attack in the strongest terms. He stated that such violence against law-abiding citizens defies logic and reason, emphasizing that the act was not only senseless but also threatened the longstanding peace and unity between Ebonyi and Anambra states.
In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, Nwifuru revealed that he had already contacted Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, calling for a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation. He stressed the importance of quickly apprehending the perpetrators, warning that any failure or compromise could strain the relationship between the two states.
While investigations are ongoing, Governor Nwifuru appealed to Ebonyi residents, especially the bereaved families and communities, to remain calm and avoid any retaliatory actions that could escalate tensions. He assured the public that no effort would be spared to bring those responsible to justice, declaring, “Such barbarism has no place in modernity and state arsenals will be deployed to unmask the perpetrators of the bloody killings”.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of Ebonyi people, both within the state and across Nigeria. He vowed to monitor the situation closely, promising that justice would be pursued without fear or favour.
