The police in Anambra State have attributed Monday’s deadly attack at Ogboji in Orumba South Local Council, which left 10 indigenes of Ebonyi State dead, to a leadership dispute within the association representing Ebonyi people in the area.
This came as the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, called on Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State to urgently apprehend those responsible for the killings in order to forestall any potential reprisals.
It was gathered that armed men, riding in two Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), stormed a gathering of Ebonyi indigenes and opened fire without provocation, killing ten people and injuring several others.
The State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, who led a joint security team comprising the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other sister agencies to the scene, announced the arrest of one Sunday Mbanu in connection with the attack.
He noted that the incident was not a targeted attack against any specific state’s indigenes, but rather the cowardly act of enemies of peace and progress in the state.
In a statement, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, explained that the meeting disrupted by the gunmen involved a factional leadership of the Ebonyi community living in Ogboji.
“It was alleged that the association had earlier complained and written a petition to the President General of Ogboji without recourse to the security agencies,” he said.
He added that during the interaction with some stakeholders of the community, including the Traditional Prime Minister, President General of the Ogboji community, and the son of the landlord where the meeting was held—the crime scene—several other revelations were made.
“There is a leadership squabble in the Association of Ebonyi State indigenes in the area.
“The President General was trying to use an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) strategy to resolve the issue. It escalated, leading to the unfortunate incident.
“The son of the landlord confirmed that one of the victims is a tenant in their compound and provided some details that the joint investigative team is working on,” he disclosed.
Ikenga conveyed the sympathies of the Joint Security Team to the people of Ebonyi State, especially the family and friends of the deceased, while wishing the injured a quick recovery.
He restated the commitment of the Anambra State Police Command to ensuring that the perpetrators of the heinous crime are brought to book. Apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, strongly condemned the killing, urging the state government to take immediate and decisive action.
In a statement signed by its National Deputy President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and National Spokesperson, Chief Thompson Ohia, the organisation described the incident as horrific and insisted that it “cannot and must not go unanswered”.
They announced that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has declared four days of mourning to honour the victims whose lives were cut short in the attack. The group stressed the need for the Anambra State government to urgently identify and bring the perpetrators to justice. The statement criticised the silence of Governor Charles Soludo, describing the lack of immediate condemnation as “alarming and unacceptable”.
“More than 48 hours have passed since this insidious massacre, yet the silence from the Anambra State government remains deafening,” they said.
According to the group, Ndigbo demand justice and a full explanation for the atrocities committed against their Ebonyi brethren residing in Anambra. They warned that Governor Soludo’s inaction not only casts doubt on his leadership but could also foster discontent and mistrust among the people.
Ohanaeze commended Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State for his swift and commendable response, including efforts to seek justice and engage the Anambra State government. They stressed that such collaboration is vital for healing and restoring confidence in leadership.
