By Mercy Aikoye, Abuja
The member representing Orumba North/South Federal Constituency of Anambra State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Princess Chinwe Clara Nnabuife, has condemned the killing of at least 10 persons during a violent attack in Ogboji community. The incident occurred during a meeting of the Ebonyi community in Ogboji, where lawful residents of Ebonyi State extraction were allegedly attacked by unknown assailants.
According to Hon. Nnabuife, the violence appeared to have been triggered by a leadership dispute within the Ebonyi Union in Ogboji.
“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,” she said. The lawmaker noted that a formal petition had been lodged with the Ogboji Town Union by the Chairman and seven members of the Ebonyi Union, accusing a splinter group of breaking away with vital union materials.
Hon. Nnabuife called for a full-scale, transparent, and impartial investigation into the attack. “Our democracy cannot thrive in the midst of impunity,” she said, urging the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and both the Anambra and Ebonyi State Governments to ensure those behind the killings are identified and brought to justice.
The lawmaker also called on the Federal Government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, to extend immediate relief and support to the victims’ families, including medical care and psychological services for the injured and bereaved.
Hon. Nnabuife commended the quick response of the Ogboji Town Union, local youth vigilante groups, and community leaders for their role in stabilizing the situation, evacuating the injured, and ensuring arrangements for the burial and welfare of the deceased. She also praised the Ebonyi community in Ogboji for their remarkable calm, maturity, and restraint in the face of such profound loss.
The lawmaker expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved families, the people of Ebonyi State, and the residents of Ogboji. “I stand with you in grief and in hope. As your representative, I remain fully committed to ensuring that justice is served and that such a tragedy never occurs again,” she said.
The lawmaker’s call for justice, relief, and solidarity highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of violence and promoting peace and stability in communities. By working together, Nigerians can build a more just and equitable society where such tragedies are prevented.
