The killing of thirteen people in Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has continued to spark outrage and condemnation from across the Southeast region.
Gunmen reportedly stormed the community in two SUVs on Monday, opened fire on residents during a monthly town union meeting, killing several individuals and shooting sporadically into the air before fleeing the scene.
The Anambra State Government, in a statement issued Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, described the incident as a “dastardly act” and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
“The Anambra State Government is deeply saddened by the recent killing of innocent lives at Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area. The government strongly condemns this dastardly act in the strongest possible terms and extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims,” Mefor stated.
He further clarified that the attack was not targeted at any ethnic group or state and hinted at an internal conflict being the possible cause.
“We want to assure the good people of Anambra and beyond that this incident was not targeted at any particular state or ethnic group.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the unfortunate incident may have stemmed from an internal squabble,” he said.
Mefor also stated that the government expects law enforcement to rise to the occasion and ensure the culprits face justice.
“The government assures the people of Ogboji and the entire state that we will do everything humanly possible to ensure justice is served.
“We urge all residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended. We will continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace and security in our great state,” he added.
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Meanwhile, the Ebonyi state Governor Francis Nwifuru has condemned the killings, describing the act as senseless, barbaric, and an affront to peace, unity and the sanctity of human life.
The Governor, through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor, said, “It defies reason and logic that a group of Ebonyi people holding a peaceful meeting would be shot at at close range. It is unacceptable, and I frown strongly at such heinous acts in their entirety.”
Nwifuru said he had reached out to his Anambra counterpart, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and called for an immediate and transparent investigation.
He stressed that justice must be served swiftly, noting that any delay or compromise could strain the cordial relationship between both states.
While calling on the people of Ebonyi, especially the bereaved families and affected communities, to remain calm and avoid retaliatory actions, Nwifuru assured them of the government’s commitment to getting justice.
“Such barbarism has no place in modernity, and state arsenals will be deployed to unmask the perpetrators of the bloody killings,” the Governor vowed.
He further reiterated his administration’s resolve to protect the lives and property of every Ebonyi citizen, regardless of location, and assured that no effort will be spared in ensuring those behind the killings are prosecuted.
“There will be no sacred cows,” he declared.
