• One arrested as police launch manhunt for killers
The Anambra and Ebonyi state governments yesterday condemned Monday’s attack that claimed lives of over 10 persons at Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area of the state.
They called on security operatives to bring perpetrators to book.
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, described the killings as “senseless, barbaric and an affront to peace, unity and the sanctity of human life.”
Also yesterday, Ebonyi House of Representatives’ Caucus called for the arrest of the assailants.
“It defies reason and logic that a group of Ebonyi people holding a peaceful meeting would be shot at close range. It is unacceptable, and I frown strongly at such heinous acts in their entirety,” Governor Nwifuru said.
The governor said that he has contacted his Anambra State counterpart, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and called for a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation into the incident.
He emphasized that the perpetrators must be brought to justice without delay, warning that any compromise in the matter could jeopardize the cordial relationship between both states.
While urging Ebonyi people, especially the bereaved families and affected communities, to remain calm and avoid reprisals, Governor Nwifuru assured that the Ebonyi State Government would deploy all necessary resources to ensure the killers are unmasked and prosecuted.
“Such barbarism has no place in modernity, and state arsenals will be deployed to unmask the perpetrators of the bloody killings,” the Governor said.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of all Ebonyi citizens, both within and outside the state.
Governor Nwifuru vowed to follow up the matter until justice is served and promised that there would be no sacred cows.
Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, in a statement extended condolences to deceased families, explaining that the incident was not targeted at any particular state or ethnic group.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that the unfortunate incident might have stemmed from internal squabble.
While calling on police to conduct thorough investigation to identify the suspects and bring them to justice, Mefor urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies to ensure the perpetrators were apprehended.
He said: “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.
“The government expects the police command to conduct a thorough investigation, identify the perpetrators of this heinous crime, and bring them to 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.”
The Police Command in Anambra has launched manhunt for the killers.
Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, confirmed the arrest of a male suspect, Sunday Mbanu, in connection with the murder.
He said this yesterday when he led Joint Security Team comprising Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other sister agencies to the scene of the incident.
He said the suspect is currently assisting the police in their investigation.
The CP, however, reiterates that the incident is not a targeted attack on any indigene of any state, but a cowardly action of the common enemies of the state.
Its Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, assured that the command shall hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Ikenga said that the armed criminals came in two Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) and attacked the gathering of a group unprovoked, shooting sporadically.
