The Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has asked the Anambra State Government and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the murder of 13 indigenes of Ebonyi State.
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 members of an association of Ebonyi indigenes holding their monthly meeting in the area at the time.
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The police in Anambra State had earlier confirmed the attack, but said only 10 people were killed.
On his part, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has condemned the deadly attack and vowed to seek justice for the murder of the victims.
The Anambra State Government initially hinted that, based on its preliminary investigation, the deadly attack was likely caused by an internal disagreement within the association of Ebonyi indigenes.
The police subsequently confirmed the hint, explaining that a leadership tussle within the association triggered the attack and killings.
‘Fish out attackers and prosecute them’
In a statement on Friday by its spokesperson, Ezechi Chukwu, Ohanaeze said the group had condemned the attack and killings.
The Igbo group asked both the Anambra State Government and the police to fish out the killers and prosecute them.
Mr Chukwu quoted the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, John Azuta-Mbata, as saying that the “dastardly act” shocked the Igbo-speaking people and “every rational mind.”
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo sees these unprovoked killings as callous, barbaric, ungodly and an abomination which amounts to the desecration of our land,” Mr Azuta-Mbata was quoted as saying.
The Ohanaeze spokesperson said the Igbo group has commiserated with families of the deceased over the loss of the victims.
He also condoled with the people of Ebonyi State and the state governor, Francis Nwifuru.
Sadness over Dantata’s loss
Mr Chukwu, in another statement on Friday, said Ohanaeze was saddened by the recent loss of an elder statesman and business man, Aminu Dantata.
The spokesperson said the Igbo group condoled with the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State and the people of the state.
Mr Azuta-Mbata, according to the statement, said late Dantata had paid his dues in both nation building and human capacity development given “his impactful (and) robust endeavours cutting across over half a century.”
The Igbo leader said Nigeria has lost an icon in Mr Dantata given his “monumental import to humanity.”
“We still find solace in his celebrated legacies which constitute a dependable cornerstone for future generations,” he said, urging Nigerian youths to emulate late Dantata’s sense of industry, focus and resilience.
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