From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
A member of the House of Representatives, representing Orumba North/South Federal Constituency of Anambra State, Chinwe Nnabuife, has condemned the killing of 10 Ebonyi State indigenes in Ogboji community, Orumba South Local Government Area of the state by gunmen.
He explained that the Ebonyi indigenes were killed by their assailants during a routine community meeting.
The lawmaker, who spoke at a press briefing, yesterday in Abuja, called on the security agencies and the government of Anambra and Ebonyi states to ensure a thorough investigation of the incident.
Nnabuife, while condoling the families of the deceased, insisted that those responsible for the atrocity must be identified, prosecuted and brought to justice without delay. “Our democracy cannot thrive in the midst of impunity. A violent attack occurred during a meeting of members of the Ebonyi community in Ogboji, resulting in the untimely death of 10 persons. The victims, all of Ebonyi State extraction, were lawful residents of Ogboji and members of the Ebonyi Union. They were allegedly attacked by unknown assailants during what was meant to be a routine community gathering.
“Let me begin by condemning this horrific act. No Nigerian citizen deserves to be murdered in cold blood under any circumstance. This is an attack on our collective humanity and it must not go unanswered.
“Based on preliminary information from the survivors, witnesses, community leaders and security operatives, the incident stemmed from an internal leadership dispute within the Ebonyi Union in Ogboji. Credible reports suggest that the conflict, regrettably, escalated and allegedly involved the invitation of external armed elements, which led to this avoidable loss of lives.
“Importantly, all indications show that this was neither an ethnic nor a communal conflict, but rather an intra-group crisis among members of the same ethnic background.
“I want to emphasise here that Ebonyi indigenes have lived peacefully in Ogboji community for years going about their businesses without any form of harassment or intimidation from their host community,” he stated.
