Nwifuru speaks on murder of 13 Ebonyi indigenes in Anambra

Some gunmen, on Monday evening, invaded Ogboji, a community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State and killed about 13 people.

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has vowed to seek justice for 13 indigenes of the state who were murdered in Anambra, another state in the South-east.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how some gunmen invaded Ogboji,  a community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State on Monday evening, killing about 13 people.

The victims were said to be indigenes of Ebonyi State holding their monthly meeting in the area at the time.

The police in Anambra State had confirmed the attack,  but said only 10 people were killed. 

Nwifuru speaks

In a statement on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Monday Uzor, Mr Nwifuru said he received “with deep shock and utter dismay” the reports of the murder of the 13 Ebonyi indigenes in Anambra State.

“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.

“It defies reason and logic that a group of Ebonyi people holding a meeting in a peaceful manner will be shot at close range. It is unacceptable, and I frown strongly at such a heinous act in its entirety,” Mr Nwifuru was quoted as saying.

He said he has contacted the Governor of Anambra, Charles Soludo, and asked for a “swift, thorough, and transparent” investigation into the incident.

The Ebonyi governor expressed confidence that the Anambra State Government and relevant security agencies will work swiftly to track down the attackers, noting that failure or compromise can strain relationships between Ebonyi and Anambra States.

Mr Nwifuru appealed to Ebonyi people, particularly affected families and communities, to refrain from any form of reprisal or actions that may escalate tensions, even as he awaits the outcome ofthe investigation into the incident.

“Such barbarism has no place in modernit,y and state arsenals will be deployed to unmask the perpetrators of the bloody killings,” he assured.

The governor stressed that his administration remains committed to protecting the lives and property of Ebonyi people both at home and in the diaspora.

He vowed that the killers would be made to face justice irrespective of the individuals who took part in the attack.