Ebonyi Leaders in Anambra Absolve Host State of Complicity in Ogboji Killings, Cite Internal Crises

Following the killing of Ebonyi State indigenes during their last Monday of the month meeting at Ogboji, in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State by yet-to-be identified assailants, leaders of Ebonyi State indigenes based in Anambra State have come out to speak on what actually transpired.

They emphatically said that the meeting was convened to address the issues bordering on kidnapping,  armed robbery, and other criminal activities involving their people and to warn all those tarnishing the image of the state with their criminal acts to desist forthwith.

The President General of Izzi Nnodo community in Anambra State, Chukwuma Ofoke, expressed regret over the killings of his people, assuring the Kinsmen, especially the relatives of the deceased and the wounded, that the perpetrators of the dastardly act would be brought to book.

According to him, the Ebonyians were having their usual every last Monday of the month at Ogboji before some men wearing white and black, drove in with two Sienna Cars, and started asking about the Chairman.

He said afterwards, they opened fire on the people, shouting repeatedly that they were against them and inquiring why they would be having such a meeting.

“It was a gory sight to behold. Many died, and many sustained varying degrees of injuries.  We got the full details of what transpired from the Chairman and the Treasurer, who survived the attacks. We want to state categorically that it was an internal squabble that led to an ugly incident. There was a crisis before now.

“One of the prime suspects, who ought to be at the meeting,g has been arrested by the security agents. We also want to inform the general public that it has absolutely nothing to do with Ndi Anambra. It is purely Ebonyians versus Ebonyians,” he said.

Ofoke revealed that immediately the incident occurred, it was the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, who ordered that the deceased be taken home for proper funeral while the injured was taken from Ka ndudi Specialist Hospital, Achina to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku,  Awka.

He commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Governor Francis Nwaifuru immensely for their proactiveness and interventions so far.

“I got a call from the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Francis Ogbonna Nwaifuru. He asked me about the incident, and ever since then, he has been on the matter. He has shown a serious and special interest. He’s not taking the matter lightly. He has vowed to get to the roots of the matter.

“Anambra State Government has been so supportive. They have shown appreciable concern towards the matter. Security agents are also working tirelessly to unravel the mystery behind the heinous crime and to apprehend those who are behind it apprehended.

“I want to use this medium to call on all Ebonyians living in Anambra State to be calm,  peaceful, and law-abiding and should not engage in any insinuation capable of creating bad blood and disharmony,” he said.

In their separate speeches,  the Patron Ebonyi State Association of Town Union Anambra State Chapter,  Chief Onwe Monday Nwokoye; the President General Ikwo Development Union Anambra State Branch, Mr. Moses Agbom (Ezzinna); the delegate from Ebonyi Welfare Association/Central Executive, Anambra State,  Apostle Ambassador Igbudu Chukwuemeka Nweze and the Chairman Izzi Nnodo, Onitsha Branch,  Edeh Paul described Ebonyi indigenes living in Anambra as hardworking and law-abiding people, noting that a few bad eggs in their midst would not be allowed to be taken as the general behaviour and activities of Ebonyi Indigenes.

‘We want to state here that we have good and productive people living in Anambra State. These criminal elements are not up to 2% of Ndi Ebonyi here. We have people in all human endeavours. We are hardworking people.

“We ask our people to go about their legitimate businesses without fear of molestation or harassment. Security agents are carrying out their investigations. Their findings will be made known soon. The culprits will equally be made to face the wrath of the law,” they concluded.